NFL Trade Deadline: 30 greatest trades in NFL history
By Dan Parzych
19. Oilers trade up for Earl Campbell
Similar to a few other players on this list, Earl Campbell was considered to be one of the top prospects in the 1978 NFL Draft. Just look at the amazing rushing numbers he put together over the years during his time at Texas.
Prior to the draft, the then-Houston Oilers knew they never would have been able to land Campbell by remaining with the No. 17 pick in the first round. So Houston decided to pull off a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move up to No. 1.
What exactly did the Buccaneers get out of the deal? Well, not only did Tampa Bay happen to get a great tight end in Jimmie Giles, but they also got picks in the first and second round from the 1979 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers also landed third and fifth-rounders the following year.
To say this deal was well worth it for the Oilers would be an understatement when looking at the numbers Campbell recorded in the first four years in the NFL. He made four trips to the Pro Bowl to begin his NFL career with the Oilers. Seeing Campbell rush for 6,457 yards and 55 touchdowns during that four-year span made giving up all those draft picks and Giles well worth it.
Campbell didn’t finish his career with the Oilers. Houston traded him to the New Orleans Saints in 1984. He will always be considered one of Houston’s all-time greats at running back.