Miami traded veteran cornerback Gerald Small to Atlanta in…
Miami traded veteran cornerback Gerald Small to Atlanta in August 1984 and received offensive lineman Ronnie Lee plus a 1985 sixth-round pick that became No. 145, George Shorthose. Small played one season for the Falcons. Lee, by contrast, returned to Miami and became a multi-year starting lineman through 1989, giving the Dolphins the clear long-term advantage even before considering the extra pick.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Gerald Small
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Ronnie Lee (V.)
- pick 1985 sixth round pick (#145-George Shorthose)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Draft-transaction records place the exchange on August 26, 1984: Miami sent defensive back Gerald Small to Atlanta for offensive lineman Ronnie Lee and the Falcons' 1985 sixth-round choice. Miami's historical draft material traces that selection to No. 145, which became George Shorthose. NFL transaction listings show Lee moving on August 27, a one-day administrative listing difference, while the package itself is consistently documented.
What Miami Received
The important return was Lee. He had previously played for Miami, went to Atlanta, and then came back in this deal. NFL records show him appearing in 15 games for the Dolphins in 1985, 10 in 1986, nine in 1987, 16 in 1988 and 15 in 1989. He developed into a regular offensive-line starter during that stretch. Miami also received the sixth-round selection used on Shorthose, adding another asset to the return.
What Atlanta Received
Small had already been a productive Miami defensive back, including five interceptions in 1983. With Atlanta in 1984, NFL records credit him with 16 games, one start and one interception. That gave the Falcons immediate veteran depth, but it was his only season with the team.
How the Value Aged
The trade became increasingly favorable to Miami as Lee remained in the lineup for years. Atlanta received one season from Small, while the Dolphins recovered a lineman who became a recurring starter and also kept the extra draft choice. The value difference comes from duration and role, not merely from the number of assets exchanged.
Final Verdict
The Miami Dolphins Win with a B+ grade. Atlanta receives a C- because Small did contribute for a full season, but the Falcons surrendered the far more durable player and an additional pick. Lee's multi-year starting value makes the long-term result clear.