TradeVerdicts connects Ricky Williams to 4 exact
public NFL transactions involving New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts.
Every transaction below comes from an explicit player-to-trade
relationship in the TradeVerdicts database. Name-only substring
matching is not used.
The cards summarize the date, teams, assets, grades, and verdict.
Open the full trade page for the complete analysis and sourcing
context. Grading standards are explained in the
TradeVerdicts methodology.
Chronological Timeline
4 Recorded Trades
Oldest to newest
Trade 1 of 4
New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints Win Tier: standard
Confidence: high
New England sent New Orleans a 1984 fourth-round pick in exchange for four late selections in the 1983 draft: Nos. 233, 265, 292 and 319. The Patriots found some useful depth, especially defensive lineman Toby Williams, but the Saints used the future pick on center Joel Hilgenberg. He spent 10 seasons with New Orleans, started 97 games and became a Pro Bowler and Saints Hall of Famer.
Washington Commanders Win Tier: landmark
Confidence: high
The Ricky Williams trade became the defining cautionary tale of Mike Ditka's Saints tenure. New Orleans sent an enormous draft package to Washington for the right to select Williams fifth overall. Williams was talented, but the cost was overwhelming. Washington turned one pick into a roster-building haul and won the value side decisively. This is a priority indexing page because the Ricky Williams-Mike Ditka trade is one of the most famous draft overpays in NFL history.
Miami acquired Ricky Williams and moved up 11 spots in the fourth round, while New Orleans received Miami's 2002 first-rounder, the lower fourth-round pick and a conditional 2003 selection that became a first-rounder. Williams immediately led the NFL with 1,853 rushing yards in 2002 and remained highly productive in 2003. New Orleans turned the premium picks into Charles Grant and part of the package used to draft Johnathan Sullivan.
Indianapolis acquired running back Ricky Williams from New Orleans at the 2002 roster cutdown for a 2003 seventh-round pick. This was the former Texas Tech back, not the star running back with the same name. Williams gave the Colts modest depth over two seasons, totaling 190 rushing yards, 177 receiving yards and four touchdowns. New Orleans received a late pick that was later moved. Neither side generated enough value for a clear win.
