Buffalo acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from Tampa Bay…
Buffalo acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from Tampa Bay for a single 2014 sixth-round pick, No. 185. Williams offered a familiar target with local ties but did not make a lasting impact for the Bills, limiting the practical value of the acquisition. Tampa Bay's draft return also produced little, so Buffalo's side fits a C grade rather than a directional win.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Mike Williams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 2014 6th round pick (185th overall, Robert Herron )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2014-04-04, Buffalo Bills received Mike Williams, while Tampa Bay Buccaneers received 2014 6th round pick (185th overall, Robert Herron). The deal can be judged by the value each franchise actually controlled after the exchange: direct playing time, useful roster service, and clearly documented movement of any draft choice. Those later results provide the basis for comparing the two returns.
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from Tampa Bay for a single 2014 sixth-round pick, No. 185. Williams offered a familiar target with local ties but did not make a lasting impact for the Bills, limiting the practical value of the acquisition. Tampa Bay's draft return also produced little, so Buffalo's side fits a C grade rather than a directional win. The grade reflects the actual usefulness of that return rather than the reputation or theoretical value attached to the asset on the day of the deal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return
Tampa Bay received one 2014 sixth-round pick, No. 185, and used it on receiver Robert Herron after trading Mike Williams to Buffalo. Herron did not develop into a significant Buccaneers contributor, leaving the club with limited realized value from the selection. Because Williams likewise made little impact in Buffalo, Tampa Bay's return belongs in the same C range and supports an even verdict. The same standard applies to this side: tangible playing value and clearly retained draft capital matter more than an eventual selection made by a different franchise.
Value in Hindsight
Once the return is stated as the single No. 185 selection, the outcome is easy to compare. Buffalo did not receive sustained production from Williams, and Tampa Bay did not receive sustained production from Herron. Neither club turned a modest transaction into a meaningful long-term advantage, so the even C/C result reflects the similar football value without double-counting the Buccaneers' one draft pick.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Buffalo Bills earns C, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers earns C. Those grades reflect the supported package and the relative football value each side realized, while keeping later draft movement in the proper franchise context.