Fansided

Greatest trade for every NFL team in history

By Brad Weiss

Quarterback John Elway #7 raises his hands in victory after he is pulled from the game in the final seconds of the Denver Broncos Super Bowl XXXIII victory over the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida, January 31, 1999. This would be John Elway's last football game of his career. (Photo by E. Bakke/Getty Images)
Quarterback John Elway #7 raises his hands in victory after he is pulled from the game in the final seconds of the Denver Broncos Super Bowl XXXIII victory over the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida, January 31, 1999. This would be John Elway's last football game of his career. (Photo by E. Bakke/Getty Images) /
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Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield heads upfield with a reception in a 28-21 win over the San Diego Chargers on Septermber 29, 1974 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield heads upfield with a reception in a 28-21 win over the San Diego Chargers on Septermber 29, 1974 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns trade Paul Warfield to the Miami Dolphins for a first-round draft pick

The Miami Dolphins dominated the NFL during the early 1970s, winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and 1973. A big reason for their success was a trade they made prior to the 1970 NFL Draft. The Dolphins traded their third overall selection to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Paul Warfield, who went on to to become the best receiver in team history.

With the third pick, the Browns selected All-American quarterback Mike Phipps, who was viewed as a can’t-miss prospect out of Purdue University. Phipps career fizzled while Warfield went on to five Pro Bowls during his five seasons in Miami.

Prior to going to the Dolphins, Warfield played six seasons in Cleveland. During his last two seasons with the Browns, Warfield was named to the Pro Bowl, and was considered one of the top receivers in the game at the time of the trade. He would take his game to another level with the Dolphins, becoming a Hall of Fame player.

Not only was he a five-time Pro Bowler during his time with Miami, but he was also named a First Team All-Pro twice. He was the leading receiver on the 1972 squad that went undefeated, which to this day is the only team to accomplish the feat.

In 1983, Warfield was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was ranked as the 60th best player in NFL history by The Sporting News, and is a member of the NFL’s 1970 All-Decade Team.

The trade is considered one of the most lopsided in NFL history.

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