The Dallas Texans sent quarterback Cotton Davidson to Oakland…
The Dallas Texans sent quarterback Cotton Davidson to Oakland for the negotiating rights to tackle Fred Miller and the Raiders' 1963 first-round pick. That selection became No. 1 overall and produced Hall of Fame defensive tackle Buck Buchanan, a cornerstone of the future Kansas City Chiefs. Davidson gave Oakland several seasons and helped stabilize the position, but Buchanan's championship-era career makes the Texans' return overwhelming.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- other rights to Fred Miller
- pick 1963 first round pick (#1-Buck Buchanan)
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Cotton Davidson
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Did
The Dallas Texans, soon to become the Kansas City Chiefs, traded quarterback Cotton Davidson to Oakland in September 1962. In return, they received the Raiders' 1963 first-round pick plus negotiating rights to tackle Fred Miller. Oakland's poor 1962 finish pushed that selection to No. 1 overall. The Texans used it on Grambling defensive tackle Buck Buchanan, turning one quarterback trade into a franchise-defining draft opportunity.
Why Oakland Still Got a Quarterback
Davidson was not worthless to the Raiders. He appeared in 58 games for Oakland, started 28, and threw for 6,532 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was part of the 1963 turnaround that took the Raiders from 1-13 to 10-4. That service prevents the Oakland side from being graded as a complete failure; the team solved a pressing quarterback need and received multiple seasons from the player it acquired.
How Buchanan Changed the Scale
Buchanan transformed the value comparison. He became a Hall of Fame defensive tackle, a perennial AFL All-Star and Pro Bowl selection, and a foundational piece of Chiefs championship defenses. Kansas City won AFL titles and Super Bowl IV with Buchanan anchoring the front. Fred Miller ultimately chose the NFL rather than the Texans, but the first-round pick alone supplied vastly more enduring value than Davidson's Oakland tenure.
Final Verdict
The Texans/Chiefs win with an A+ because they converted Davidson into the first overall pick and a Hall of Fame cornerstone. Oakland earns a C- because Davidson did provide several useful seasons and helped stabilize a rebuilding team, but surrendering the pick that became Buchanan overwhelms that benefit. Few quarterback trades produced such a dramatic long-term difference in franchise value.