Buffalo sent guard Jon Borchardt to Seattle on April 26,…
Buffalo sent guard Jon Borchardt to Seattle on April 26, 1985, for a 1986 seventh-round selection, No. 180 overall. The Bills used the pick on tight end Butch Rolle, who spent six seasons in Buffalo and became a productive red-zone specialist. Borchardt supplied Seattle with reserve line depth for three seasons, but Buffalo extracted the more durable return.
Buffalo Bills Received
- pick 1986 seventh-round pick (180th overall, Butch Rolle)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Jon Borchardt
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle acquired guard Jon Borchardt from Buffalo on April 26, 1985, sending the Bills a seventh-round choice in the 1986 draft. The pick became No. 180 overall, which Buffalo used on tight end Butch Rolle. The exchange paired a veteran reserve lineman with a low-cost future selection, giving both clubs a realistic path to useful depth.
Buffalo's Return
Rolle became much more than a disposable seventh-rounder. He played six seasons for Buffalo from 1986 through 1991, appearing in 92 regular-season games. Although he started only twice and caught 15 passes, 10 of those receptions went for touchdowns. His specialized goal-line receiving role and longevity gave Buffalo a distinctive, useful return from a very late selection.
Seattle's Return
Borchardt also delivered legitimate value. He appeared in 41 games for the Seahawks across the 1985, 1986, and 1987 seasons and made several starts on the offensive line. He was never a foundational starter, but he provided three years of experienced depth. For the price of a seventh-round choice, that is a defensible acquisition rather than a failed trade.
Value in Hindsight
This is a good example of both teams finding utility from modest assets. Seattle received a reserve lineman who stayed on the roster for three seasons, while Buffalo used the pick on a player who remained for six years and carved out a memorable scoring niche. Rolle's longer tenure and touchdown efficiency separate the returns, but not by an enormous margin.
Final Verdict
Buffalo Bills Win. Buffalo earns a B for turning the 180th pick into six seasons of useful tight-end and scoring production. Seattle receives a C+ because Borchardt still supplied 41 games of line depth. The Bills won the exchange through longevity and role value, while the Seahawks received a reasonable return for the price.