Arizona Cardinals–New England Patriots Trade History

Arizona Cardinals received Bill Atessis in the deal with New England Patriots. Bill Atessis did not play a regular-season game for the Cardinals after the deal and was released in September 1972. That result supports a F for Arizona Cardinals. The New England Patriots Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

Arizona Cardinals received undisclosed draft pick (possibly 1977 #135-Andy Spiva). Arizona received an undisclosed future draft choice, possibly the 1977 No. 135 selection associated with Andy Spiva. The exact pick identity remains qualified, and the possible selection did not produce Cardinals regular-season value. That leaves Arizona with a limited return compared with the twelve games New England received from Durwood Keeton in 1975. That result supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals.

New England moved from No. 46 to No. 35 in the 1992 second round, sending Phoenix the later second-round pick plus No. 100. The Patriots selected defensive back Rod Smith. Phoenix used its two selections on Tony Sacca and Michael Bankston. Bankston became a long-term Cardinals starter, while Smith's New England impact remained much more limited.

Phoenix Cardinals received Danny Villa from New England Patriots, giving up 1992 6th round pick (#145-Larry Tharpe). The acquired return is specifically 1992 sixth-round selection No. 145. The return supports a C+ grade because the value directly tied to this deal fits that mark. The final verdict is New England Patriots Win.

Arizona Cardinals received 1994 4th round pick (107th overall, Perry Carter) in the 1994-04-25 exchange with New England Patriots. Perry Carter never appeared in a game for Arizona and had only a short NFL career elsewhere, so the Cardinals did not capture comparable value from the higher pick. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Arizona Cardinals surrendered, the result supports New England Patriots Win and a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals.

New England acquired veteran corner Duane Starks and pick 145 from Arizona for picks 95 and 168. Starks started six games but struggled, landed on injured reserve and was released after one season. Arizona did not turn its two selections into stars, yet Darryl Blackstock supplied several seasons of linebacker depth, giving the Cardinals the better direct return from a deal that disappointed both sides.

Arizona Cardinals received Brandon Gorin. Brandon Gorin did not produce a Cardinals regular-season appearance before moving on, leaving Arizona without meaningful direct on-field value from the acquired veteran. That result supports a D grade for Arizona Cardinals. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the documented service, durability, and value each club actually obtained from this exchange.

Arizona traded picks No. 58 and No. 89 to New England for No. 47 and selected linebacker Daryl Washington. Washington started 53 games in four seasons, made the 2012 Pro Bowl and produced 18 sacks before suspensions ended his Arizona career. New England later turned the two picks into Brandon Spikes, Zoltan Mesko and a future second-rounder, creating useful depth but not matching Washington's peak impact.

Arizona acquired Chandler Jones from New England for guard Jonathan Cooper and the 61st pick in the 2016 draft. Jones became one of the Cardinals' best pass rushers, recording 71.5 sacks in six seasons. New England later traded the second-rounder and turned the return into picks used on Joe Thuney and Malcolm Mitchell, creating substantial value of its own.

Arizona received the 2020 sixth-round pick at No. 202 and selected Evan Weaver. Arizona received the 2020 sixth-round pick at No. 202 and used it on Evan Weaver. Weaver did not produce regular-season value for the Cardinals, so the draft return never translated into an on-field payoff. The pick had theoretical value on the day of the trade, but its realized return was minimal. In hindsight, that result supports a D+ grade for Arizona Cardinals in a deal ultimately judged as New England Patriots Win.

Arizona traded Corey Kiner to New England for a 2028 seventh-round pick. The Cardinals turned a crowded-backfield extra into future draft capital, which is reasonable roster management, but the return is still light for a 24-year-old runner who flashed throughout the preseason. Arizona gets something instead of risking a waiver loss, yet the stronger current value sits with New England.