Miami acquired tight end Troy Drayton from the Rams for…
Miami acquired tight end Troy Drayton from the Rams for offensive tackle Billy Milner in an October 1996 player-for-player swap. Drayton immediately became a substantial part of the Dolphins offense and remained a regular starter through 1999. Milner played only ten games for the Rams after the trade and his career was cut short, leaving Miami with the clearly stronger multi-year return.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Billy Milner
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Troy Drayton
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On October 1, 1996, the Rams sent tight end Troy Drayton to Miami for offensive tackle Billy Milner. There were no draft choices to complicate the accounting. It was a direct player-for-player move involving two former high draft selections whose careers had reached different crossroads.
Drayton's Miami Role
Drayton immediately became useful for the Dolphins. He started all ten games he played after arriving in 1996, then started fifteen games in both 1997 and 1998 and thirteen more in 1999. His best Miami season came in 1997, when he caught 39 passes for 558 yards and four touchdowns. Across four seasons, he gave the offense a dependable receiving tight end and regular starter.
What the Rams Got From Milner
Milner had been selected in the first round by Miami in 1995, so the Rams were betting on pedigree and a fresh setting for a young tackle. The return never matched that upside. He appeared in ten games for the Rams in 1996 and did not become a sustained starter for the club. His NFL career ended after only 30 total games and nine starts.
How the Value Aged
This trade illustrates how quickly a simple swap can separate. Miami received four seasons of substantial tight-end usage, while Los Angeles received only a brief stretch of offensive-line depth. No downstream pick or later transaction is needed to create the hindsight gap.
Final Verdict
Miami earns an A- for acquiring a multi-year starter and productive receiver for a player it was ready to move. The Rams get a D+ because Milner's stay produced little lasting value. The Dolphins win comfortably.
Troy Drayton started 53 games across four Miami seasons and topped 1,500 receiving yards, while Billy Milner appeared in only ten games for the Rams after the swap.