Buffalo acquired Vince Ferragamo and a 1986 third-round pick,…
Buffalo acquired Vince Ferragamo and a 1986 third-round pick, No. 77 overall, from the Rams for tight end Tony Hunter on July 18, 1985. Ferragamo struggled badly as Buffalo’s quarterback, while No. 77 became Leonard Burton, a reserve lineman. Hunter had one useful Rams season. Neither side turned the exchange into substantial lasting value, producing a modest draw.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Vince Ferragamo
- pick 1986 third round pick (#77-Leonard Burton)
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Tony Hunter
Trade Analysis
Why Buffalo Made the Move
Buffalo traded tight end Tony Hunter to the Rams on July 18, 1985 and received quarterback Vince Ferragamo plus a 1986 third-round pick. The Bills were searching for quarterback stability and also protected some future value by securing the draft selection. On paper, that combination gave Buffalo two chances to come out ahead.
What Buffalo Received
Ferragamo’s season went poorly. He finished 1-8 as a Buffalo starter with five touchdown passes and 17 interceptions, so the veteran quarterback did not solve the problem the Bills hoped he would address. The third-round pick became Leonard Burton at No. 77 overall. Burton spent several seasons with Buffalo and made a handful of starts, giving the Bills some secondary value after the quarterback portion disappointed.
What the Rams Received
Hunter had the best immediate season produced by the trade. In 1985 he caught 50 passes for 562 yards and four touchdowns for Los Angeles. That was meaningful offensive production, but his Rams tenure was not long enough to create a large multi-year advantage. Los Angeles benefited right away without turning Hunter into a lasting core player.
How the Value Settled
Buffalo’s two-part return was mixed: Ferragamo failed, while Burton became a serviceable reserve. Los Angeles received a productive season from Hunter, but not a long run of production. Each team can point to some value and a clear limitation.
Final Verdict
Buffalo and Los Angeles each receive a C. Hunter’s 1985 season was useful, while Burton supplied some longer reserve value after Ferragamo struggled. Neither side created a meaningful lasting edge, so this is an Even Trade.