New England Patriots–New Orleans Saints Trade History

New Orleans sent Jim Flanigan to New England on June 29, 1972 and received the 1973 sixth-round choice later used on Marty Shuford at No. 134. Flanigan did not make a regular-season impact for the Patriots, while Shuford also failed to become a meaningful NFL contributor. The Saints at least recovered a draft asset, giving them a slight edge in an otherwise low-value exchange.

New Orleans acquired Henry Matthews from New England for a future fifth-round choice. Surviving draft records most plausibly connect that compensation to the 1974 selection that became Charlie Battle at No. 124. Matthews appeared for the Saints in 1973 but did not become a long-term contributor, leaving New Orleans with only brief roster service from the player it acquired.

New England Patriots received 1976 seventh round pick (selection not identified), while New Orleans Saints received Josh Ashton. New England sent Josh Ashton to New Orleans for the Saints' 1976 seventh-round choice. The exact selection has not been identified, and Ashton did not establish lasting regular-season value for New Orleans. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. New England Patriots earns a C grade, and the overall verdict is New England Patriots Win.

New England Patriots received 1976 eighth round pick (selection not identified), while New Orleans Saints received Lawrence Williams. New England sent Lawrence Williams to New Orleans for the Saints' 1976 eighth-round choice. The round is supported, the exact selection remains unidentified, and Williams did not create a durable Saints return. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. New England Patriots earns a C grade, and the overall verdict is New England Patriots Win.

New England sent veteran guard Sam Adams to New Orleans on April 23, 1981 for the Saints' eighth-round selection, No. 194. The Patriots used the pick on Ken Naber, who did not become an NFL regular-season contributor. Adams, meanwhile, started all 16 games for New Orleans in 1981. Turning a late-round choice into a full season of starting line play gives the Saints the clear edge.

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.

New England Patriots received Tony Stephens. Tony Stephens did not establish an NFL regular-season career after New England acquired him, so the Patriots gained little direct football value. That outcome supports a D grade because the return is measured by the direct football value New England Patriots actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

New Orleans acquired safety Tebucky Jones from New England in April 2003 for third- and seventh-round picks that year plus a 2004 fourth-rounder. The Patriots expanded an already deep draft portfolio and ultimately tied the returned choices to Wade Smith, Tully Banta-Cain and Dexter Reid. Jones became a Saints starter, but New England's three-pick return created more roster flexibility and depth, giving the Patriots a narrow win.

New Orleans and New England swapped two former high draft picks who had fallen out of favor, with wide receiver Bethel Johnson going to the Saints and defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan going to the Patriots. Because neither acquired player produced regular-season value for his new club, the fairest judgment is an even trade with poor grades on both sides.

New Orleans traded picks 10 and 78 to New England for picks 7 and 164, selecting Sedrick Ellis and Carl Nicks. Ellis became a five-year starting defensive tackle, while Nicks developed into a first-team All-Pro guard and Super Bowl champion. New England drafted Jerod Mayo, a Defensive Rookie of the Year and All-Pro linebacker, plus Shawn Crable. Both clubs found premium starters, making this a genuine win-win.

New Orleans acquired tight end David Thomas from New England for a conditional 2011 draft choice that ultimately became the 189th pick in the sixth round. Thomas played 48 games with 25 starts for the Saints and contributed as a versatile receiver and in-line tight end on the Super Bowl XLIV champion. New England later reused the pick, but Thomas' four useful Saints seasons create the stronger return.

New Orleans traded its 2011 second-round pick and 2012 first-round pick to New England for No. 28, using it on running back Mark Ingram. Ingram became the Saints' all-time rushing leader and a three-time Pro Bowler. New England got productive back Shane Vereen and later used the future first as part of the move up for pass rusher Chandler Jones. Both teams created substantial value, making this a rare trade that aged well for each side.

New Orleans traded picks No. 78 and 112 to New England for No. 61 and selected safety Vonn Bell. Bell immediately became a major defensive contributor, appearing in 61 games with 45 starts over four Saints seasons. The move worked. It simply ran into an exceptional Patriots return, because New England turned the two selections into Joe Thuney and Malcolm Mitchell.

New Orleans sent Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to New England for the final first-round pick and a third-rounder. The Saints drafted Ryan Ramczyk and Trey Hendrickson, landing an All-Pro right tackle and a pass rusher who broke out with 13.5 sacks in 2020. New England still received 1,082 yards from Cooks and later flipped him for a first-round pick, making this a strong transaction for both clubs.

New Orleans acquired veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from New England in March 2025 for a 2026 seventh-round pick. That Saints choice became No. 224 overall, Robert Spears-Jennings, after New England later included the pick in another trade. The Saints added an experienced interior defender immediately, while the Patriots converted a veteran contract into usable future draft capital.

New Orleans acquired Ja'Lynn Polk and a 2028 seventh-round pick from New England for a 2027 sixth. Polk was already unavailable for the 2025 season because of a shoulder injury and never played a regular-season snap for the Saints; he was placed on the Reserve/Retired list in August 2026. New England therefore improved from a future seventh to a sixth while moving a player who produced no Saints on-field return.