Seattle sent Minnesota the 1978 eighth-round pick used on…
Seattle sent Minnesota the 1978 eighth-round pick used on Mike Wood and received safety Autry Beamon plus linebacker Amos Martin. Beamon immediately became the prize, appearing in 45 Seahawks games with 39 starts and 11 interceptions from 1977 through 1979. Wood gave Minnesota limited direct value, so Seattle's three-year defensive return clearly wins the exchange.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1978 eighth round pick (#204-Mike Wood (Stephen))
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Autry Beamon
- player Amos Martin (Anthony Irl Martin)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On September 5, 1977, Seattle traded its 1978 eighth-round pick to Minnesota for safety Autry Beamon and linebacker Amos Martin. The Vikings later used the acquired No. 204 selection on punter Mike Wood.
What Seattle Seahawks Received
Beamon transformed the deal for Seattle. NFL records show 14 games with nine starts and six interceptions in 1977, followed by 16 starts and four interceptions in 1978 and 15 games with 14 starts in 1979. Across those three seasons, he produced 45 appearances, 39 starts, and 11 interceptions. Martin added two Seattle games in 1977.
What Minnesota Vikings Received
Minnesota used the eighth-round pick on Wood. He handled punting duties in seven Vikings games during 1978, but the direct return was short and did not approach Beamon's multi-season starting role in Seattle's secondary.
How the Value Developed
The value gap became clear almost immediately. Seattle acquired a starting defensive back who created turnovers and stayed in the lineup for three seasons, while Minnesota's draft choice produced only a brief punting stint for the club.
Why the Difference Matters
An eighth-round pick was a modest price even under the larger draft format of the era. Turning it into 39 starts and 11 interceptions represents an excellent standard-tier result, especially when the outgoing selection produced limited direct value. Beamon also gave Seattle continuity at a premium defensive position.
Final Verdict
Seattle receives a B+ and Minnesota receives a C-. The final call is Seattle Seahawks Win because Beamon's sustained defensive contribution was the defining asset in the trade.