Minnesota acquired veteran guard Greg Koch from Miami on…
Minnesota acquired veteran guard Greg Koch from Miami on October 20, 1987, for sixth- and tenth-round selections in the next two drafts. Koch immediately started six games for a Vikings team that reached the NFC Championship Game. Miami used the picks on George Cooper and Greg Ross, neither of whom produced a regular-season NFL career. Minnesota received timely line help at a very small cost and won the exchange.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1988 sixth round pick (#156-George Cooper (Fitzgerald))
- pick 1989 tenth round pick (#275-Greg Ross)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Greg Koch
Trade Analysis
Why Minnesota Made the Deal
The Vikings needed offensive-line help during the 1987 season and acquired veteran guard Greg Koch on October 20. The price was a 1988 sixth-round pick and a 1989 tenth-round pick. For an in-season veteran addition, that was inexpensive compensation, especially for a team trying to strengthen itself for a playoff push.
What Minnesota Received
Koch immediately entered the lineup. He played nine regular-season games for Minnesota in 1987 and started six of them. The Vikings went on to reach the NFC Championship Game, so even a short-term veteran contribution carried extra value in context. Koch was not a long-term franchise fixture, but he filled a real need at the precise point Minnesota wanted reinforcement.
What Miami Received
The Dolphins used the 1988 sixth-round selection on George Cooper and the 1989 tenth-round selection on Greg Ross. Neither pick produced regular-season NFL value. Late-round choices are uncertain by nature, but Miami's two chances failed to replace the value of the veteran it sent away, leaving the return almost entirely theoretical.
How the Value Settled
This trade was small, but the outcome is unusually clean. Minnesota paid low-end draft capital and received immediate starts from an experienced lineman during a postseason season. Miami received two selections but no corresponding regular-season production. The Vikings did not need Koch to become a star for the transaction to succeed.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins and earns a B-. Miami receives a D+. The Vikings bought nine games and six starts of useful line help for two late selections, an efficient in-season move. The Dolphins' grade reflects the lack of realized value from both picks. Given the small original stakes, Minnesota extracted nearly everything a team could reasonably want.