Miami traded a 1999 seventh-round pick to the Giants for…
Miami traded a 1999 seventh-round pick to the Giants for running back Tyrone Wheatley on February 12, 1999. The Dolphins never received regular-season production from the former first-rounder, terminating his contract in August before he joined Oakland. New York used the pick on linebacker O.J. Childress, who played only four NFL games, so the Giants win is narrow and based mostly on recovering an asset for a player they were ready to move.
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Tyrone Wheatley
New York Giants Received
- pick 1999 7th round pick (231st overall, O.J. Childress)
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Took the Chance
Tyrone Wheatley had been the Giants’ first-round pick in 1995 and still carried obvious physical talent when Miami acquired him in February 1999. The cost was only a seventh-round choice, making the move an inexpensive attempt to add a veteran runner. The Dolphins had little draft capital at risk, but the transaction still required Wheatley to make the roster and contribute for the gamble to pay off.
What Happened Before the Season
The move never reached that point. NFL transaction records show Miami terminated Wheatley’s contract on August 3, 1999, before the regular season. Oakland added him days later, and he went on to produce several useful seasons for the Raiders. Miami therefore received no regular-season snaps from the player it acquired, which sharply limits the value of the Dolphins’ side even though the acquisition price was low.
How New York Used the Pick
The Giants selected linebacker O.J. Childress with the 231st overall choice. Childress appeared in four games in 1999 and finished his NFL career after that season. New York did not turn the pick into a long-term contributor, so this is not a major win. The distinction is simply that the Giants recovered some draft value for a player they no longer wanted, while Miami’s return disappeared before Week 1.
Final Verdict
New York Giants Win. The Giants receive a C+ for extracting a draft choice from an expendable player. Miami gets a D because Wheatley never played a regular-season game for the Dolphins. The limited career of Childress keeps the margin modest, but New York still realized more concrete value from the exchange.