Buffalo acquired Scott Lewis from Houston for a conditional…
Buffalo acquired Scott Lewis from Houston for a conditional 1973 draft choice. The condition was not exercised, meaning Houston ultimately received no draft asset from the agreement. Lewis also did not create a durable, clearly separable Buffalo payoff. Because neither side realized enough lasting value to establish meaningful separation, an even low-value result remains appropriate.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Scott Lewis
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1973 conditional draft pick (not exercised)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1972-07-19, Buffalo Bills received Scott Lewis, while Houston Oilers received 1973 conditional draft pick (not exercised). The exchange is judged by the football value each club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the transaction. Later movement of a draft choice is considered only when the cited record connects that movement to the original return.
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo acquired Scott Lewis from Houston for a conditional 1973 draft choice. The condition was not exercised, meaning Houston ultimately received no draft asset from the agreement. Lewis also did not create a durable, clearly separable Buffalo payoff. Because neither side realized enough lasting value to establish meaningful separation, an even low-value result remains appropriate.
Houston Oilers Return
Houston sent Scott Lewis to Buffalo for a conditional 1973 draft choice, but the condition was not exercised and the Oilers ultimately received no selection. Lewis did not generate a durable Buffalo return large enough to swing the comparison. With no exercised pick for Houston and no substantial long-term payoff for Buffalo, the transaction remains a low-value even exchange.
Value in Hindsight
The key term is the condition on Houston's 1973 draft choice. That condition was not exercised, so the Oilers ultimately received no draft selection. Buffalo did receive Lewis, but the available record does not show a durable contribution large enough to turn the transaction into a meaningful Bills win. The result is unusual because Houston's consideration vanished while Buffalo's player return also remained modest. With neither side producing a substantial long-term advantage, equal middle grades are more faithful to the realized football value than forcing a winner.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Buffalo Bills earns C, and Houston Oilers earns C. Those grades reflect the supported package, the documented post-trade production, and the relative football value each side ultimately realized from this exchange.