New York moved from No. 31 to No. 27 in the 1984 draft by…
New York moved from No. 31 to No. 27 in the 1984 draft by sending Washington the second-rounder plus No. 125. The Giants selected offensive lineman William Roberts, who became a 10-year Giant, made the 1990 Pro Bowl and played on two Super Bowl championship teams. Washington's two acquired choices never generated a comparable centerpiece.
New York Giants Received
- pick 1984 first-round pick, No. 27 overall (William Roberts)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1984 second-round pick, No. 31 overall (Bob Slater)
- pick 1984 fifth-round pick, No. 125 overall (Jeff Pegues)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
During the 1984 draft, Washington sent the No. 27 overall selection to the Giants for two choices: No. 31 in the second round and No. 125 in the fifth. New York used No. 27 on Ohio State offensive lineman William Roberts. Washington used the acquired selections on Bob Slater and Jeff Pegues.
Why New York Moved Up
The Giants were willing to sacrifice a fifth-rounder to secure a specific offensive lineman before the first round ended. Moving only four slots kept the premium manageable. The bet was that the certainty of landing Roberts mattered more than preserving an extra Day 3-style opportunity in an era with a much longer draft.
What Roberts Became
Roberts justified the move over a long horizon. He played 10 seasons for the Giants, appeared in 151 games for the franchise and started 127. He developed into a versatile tackle and guard, earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1990 and was part of the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV. That is exceptional realized value from the No. 27 choice.
Washington's Return
Washington's strategy of converting one pick into two was reasonable, but neither Slater nor Pegues became a comparable long-term cornerstone. Contemporary retrospectives on Washington's first-round movement have also pointed to this deal as one where the Giants captured the better player value.
Final Verdict
The Giants receive an A for paying a modest premium to secure a decade-long starter and championship contributor. Washington receives a C because the trade-down logic was sound but the acquired selections did not produce enough lasting value. New York wins clearly in hindsight.
William Roberts gave New York a decade of line play, a Pro Bowl selection and two championship seasons, while Washington's two incoming choices never produced an equivalent long-term centerpiece.