Miami traded second- and third-round picks in the 1995 draft…
Miami traded second- and third-round picks in the 1995 draft to Chicago for veteran defensive end Trace Armstrong. Armstrong became a durable Dolphins pass rusher and remained productive for multiple seasons. Chicago converted the draft return into additional young assets, but Miami received sustained production at a premium defensive position without surrendering a first-round selection.
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 1995 2nd round pick (56th overall, Todd Sauerbrun )
- pick 1995 3rd round pick (87th overall, Evan Pilgrim )
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Trace Armstrong
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Miami traded second- and third-round picks in 1995 for veteran defensive end Trace Armstrong. Chicago was converting an established pass rusher into two younger players, while the Dolphins were paying a meaningful draft price for immediate defensive help. The Bears used No. 56 on punter Todd Sauerbrun and No. 87 on guard Evan Pilgrim.
What Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins Received
Armstrong became a durable part of Miami's defense and remained productive deep into his career, eventually finishing with 106 sacks in 211 NFL games. Chicago did not come away empty. Sauerbrun became a long-tenured NFL punter and later earned three Pro Bowl selections, while Pilgrim appeared in 32 games with eight starts. The Bears' return had real professional value, particularly through Sauerbrun.
How the Value Developed
The edge still goes to Miami because the Dolphins acquired a premium-position veteran who gave them multiple seasons of pass-rush production without surrendering a first-round pick. Chicago's best asset became a decorated specialist, but much of Sauerbrun's peak recognition came after his Bears tenure, and Pilgrim never became a long-term starter. Both clubs extracted value, making this a strong trade rather than a one-sided miss.
Final Verdict
Miami Dolphins Win. Chicago Bears receives a B and Miami Dolphins receives a A-. The result weighs only value tied to the assets each club actually controlled, including a later transaction when the acquired pick itself was moved. That keeps the comparison centered on team-specific football contribution rather than assigning another franchise's eventual selection to the wrong side.
Armstrong became a durable Miami pass rusher and remained productive for years, giving the Dolphins multiple seasons at a premium defensive position. Chicago received useful draft assets, but the direct Bears production tied to those picks did not match Armstrong's sustained Dolphins impact. That sustained production favored Miami.