New Orleans Saints

Seattle paid mid-round picks for speed and return value, but the final verdict depends on Shaheed’s health and role. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired Rashid Shaheed and gave up 2026 4th round pick (132nd overall, Jeremiah Wright); 2026 5th round pick (172nd overall, Lorenzo Styles), with the available evidence supporting a C+ grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

Denver traded wide receiver Devaughn Vele to New Orleans for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick, turning a young depth receiver into future draft capital. This was a value-driven move. Denver converted a non-core receiver into a future fourth-rounder, which is meaningful compensation for a player who had not become a central offensive piece. New Orleans paid for immediate receiving depth, while Denver prioritized roster flexibility and future pick value.

Summary: Jacksonville acquired Khalen Saunders from New Orleans for Luke Fortner. Analysis: This was a player-for-player depth swap, with Jacksonville prioritizing defensive-line help and moving on from a struggling interior offensive lineman. The value is close and role-dependent.

Denver acquired Wil Lutz from New Orleans Saints for 2024 7th round pick (239th overall, Josiah Ezirim). Denver paid draft capital for Wil Lutz, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to New Orleans Saints.

Denver acquired Adam Trautman and 2023 7th round pick (257th overall, Alex Forsyth) from New Orleans Saints for 2023 6th round pick (195th overall, A.T. Perry). This was primarily a draft-position exchange, with Denver reshaping its pick stack rather than adding an established player. The grades stay conservative because the historical value depends on how the selected players developed after the swap.

Summary: Jacksonville acquired 2023 7th round pick (227th overall, Raymond Vohasek), 2024 4th round pick (116th overall, Jordan Jefferson) from New Orleans Saints for 2023 4th round pick (127th overall, Jake Haener). Analysis: Jacksonville converted a roster piece into draft capital. The return was modest, but the move created usable asset value.

Denver sent premium draft compensation to New Orleans for the right to hire Sean Payton, choosing an accomplished Super Bowl-winning coach to stabilize the post-Wilson era. The Payton compensation deal was Denver’s attempt to stabilize the franchise after the Wilson collapse. Coach trades are difficult to grade because the return is leadership and infrastructure rather than player production, but Denver paid a real premium for a Super Bowl-winning coach with the authority to reset the program. The move belongs among the major post-Elway organizational decisions.

Denver moved down with New Orleans in 2021 and still landed Quinn Meinerz, adding another third-round pick in the process. The deal aged well because Meinerz developed into a high-end interior lineman. Denver combined value trading with a real hit at the selected spot.

Summary: Jacksonville acquired Malcom Brown from New Orleans Saints for 2021 7th round pick (229th overall subsequently traded, Mike Strachan). Analysis: This was a late-round or depth-chart exchange with limited franchise impact. The value difference is small enough to treat as essentially even.

Minnesota received 2020 4th round pick (130th overall, James Lynch), 2020 5th round pick (169th overall, Harrison Hand), 2020 6th round pick (203rd overall, Blake Brandel) and 2020 7th round pick (244th overall, Nate Stanley) and sent 2020 3rd round pick (105th overall, Adam Trautman).

Seattle sent All-Pro C Max Unger and the #31 overall pick to New Orleans for TE Jimmy Graham and a 4th-rounder. Graham had productive moments and Pro Bowl recognition in Seattle, but the cost of losing Unger and first-round value made the fit and value increasingly hard to defend. The Graham trade is Seattle's clearest scheme-fit failure. Graham's value in New Orleans came from a high-volume passing system; Seattle asked him to fit into a run-first offense that relied on tight-end blocking. Unger stabilized the Saints' line, while Seattle's offensive line weakened during Russell Wilson's prime. Winner: New Orleans Saints.

Seattle acquired 2013 7th round pick (220th overall, Ryan Seymour) from New Orleans Saints on 2012-08-21, sending Barrett Ruud in return. The value case for Seattle comes down to the direct asset exchange: 2013 7th round pick (220th overall, Ryan Seymour) for Barrett Ruud. There is no clear evidence of a major downstream swing, so the grade stays modest rather than inflated. For TradeVerdicts, this row matters because it preserves the transaction trail without overstating the long-term Seahawks impact.

Summary: Jacksonville acquired 2011 4th round pick (121st overall, Chris Prosinski) from New Orleans Saints for 2010 5th round pick (158th overall, Matt Tennant). Analysis: Jacksonville converted a roster piece into draft capital. The return was modest, but the move created usable asset value.

Minnesota received 2004 2nd round pick (48th overall, Dontarrious Thomas) and sent 2004 2nd round pick (50th overall, Devery Henderson) and 2004 5th round pick (151st overall subsequently traded, Mark Wilson).

Summary: Jacksonville acquired 2004 5th round pick (150th overall, Chris Thompson) from New Orleans Saints for Jason Craft. Analysis: Jacksonville converted a roster piece into draft capital. The return was modest, but the move created usable asset value.

Seattle acquired Norman Hand from New Orleans Saints on 2003-04-27, sending 2003 6th round pick (203rd overall, Kareem Kelly) in return. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired Norman Hand and gave up 2003 6th round pick (203rd overall, Kareem Kelly), with the available evidence supporting a B grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

Minnesota received 2003 6th round pick (190th overall, Mike Nattiel) and sent Todd Bouman.

Seattle acquired Daryl Hobbs from New Orleans Saints on 1997-09-30, sending 1998 7th round pick (204th overall, Andy McCullough) in return. From a hindsight view, the Seahawks neither created a defining win nor suffered a major loss here. The important public-facing detail is the actual exchange — Daryl Hobbs for 1998 7th round pick (204th overall, Andy McCullough) — rather than a forced storyline. That makes the row useful for database completeness while keeping it below the major-trade tier.

Seattle acquired Rueben Mayes from New Orleans Saints on 1992-04-26, sending 1992 fourth round pick (#95-Gene McGuire) in return. From a hindsight view, the Seahawks neither created a defining win nor suffered a major loss here. The important public-facing detail is the actual exchange — Rueben Mayes for 1992 fourth round pick (#95-Gene McGuire) — rather than a forced storyline. That makes the row useful for database completeness while keeping it below the major-trade tier.

Denver acquired Shawn Knight from New Orleans Saints for Ted Gregory. Denver swapped Ted Gregory for Shawn Knight, a direct player-value trade with limited evidence of a major long-term swing. The grades remain modest because the available record supports a useful roster exchange, not a clear franchise-changing win.

Denver acquired 1988 third round pick (#79-Kevin Guidry) from New Orleans Saints in exchange for 1988 third round pick (#81-Tony Stephens (b)); 1988 tenth round pick (#276-Vincent Fizer). This was primarily a draft-position exchange, with Denver reshaping its pick stack rather than adding an established player. The grades stay conservative because the historical value depends on how the selected players developed after the swap.

Vikings received Wayne Wilson (MacArthur); sent Mike Jones (Anthony) (b. 1960-04-14).

Denver acquired 1984 fourth round pick (#96-Rickey Bolden) from New Orleans Saints for Kelvin Clark. Denver converted Kelvin Clark into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while New Orleans Saints lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired 1982 sixth round pick (#167-Craig Bingham) from New Orleans Saints for Dennis Winston. Analysis: The trade grades against Pittsburgh because the outgoing side carried more durable value, stronger draft upside, or a better long-term return for New Orleans Saints.

Vikings received Tony Galbreath; sent 1982 third round pick (#66-Eugene Goodlow).

Denver acquired 1983 fifth round pick (#125-Bruce Baldwin) from New Orleans Saints for Rob Nairne. Denver converted Rob Nairne into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while New Orleans Saints lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Vikings received Steve Riley; sent 1981 third round pick (#71-Hoby Brenner); 1981 fifth round pick (#128-Jerry Boyarsky).

Vikings received 1980 third round pick (#68-Brent Boyd); 1980 fifth round pick (#122-Paul Jones); sent Steve Riley.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired future considerations (?) from New Orleans Saints for Brent Sexton. Analysis: The trade grades against Pittsburgh because the outgoing side carried more durable value, stronger draft upside, or a better long-term return for New Orleans Saints. The grade is deliberately conservative because part of the source record is incomplete, conditional, approximate, or still too recent for a firm historical verdict.

Seattle acquired Andy Dorris from New Orleans Saints on 1977-09-06, sending 1978 eleventh round pick (#285-Dave Riley) in return. The value case for Seattle comes down to the direct asset exchange: Andy Dorris for 1978 eleventh round pick (#285-Dave Riley). There is no clear evidence of a major downstream swing, so the grade stays modest rather than inflated. For TradeVerdicts, this row matters because it preserves the transaction trail without overstating the long-term Seahawks impact.

Vikings received 1977 draft pick (?-?); sent Bob Stein.

Vikings received Andy Maurer; sent 1975 third round pick (#63-Elois Grooms).

Vikings received 1973 sixth round pick (#139-Doug Kingsriter); 1974 fourth round pick (#86-Mike Townsend); sent Bob Brown (Earl).

Denver acquired Bill Harris / Billy Harris from New Orleans Saints for 1973 undisclosed draft pick (?-?). Denver paid draft capital for Bill Harris / Billy Harris, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to New Orleans Saints.

Vikings received Doug Sutherland; sent Bill Harris / Billy Harris.

Denver acquired Steve Ramsey from New Orleans Saints for 1972 fourth round pick (#83-Tim Kearney). Denver paid draft capital for Steve Ramsey, making this a targeted personnel acquisition instead of a pure pick shuffle. The Broncos grade of C reflects the balance between immediate roster help and the opportunity cost of the pick sent to New Orleans Saints.

Denver acquired 1973 fifth round pick (#106-Dave Reavis) from New Orleans Saints for John Huard. Denver converted John Huard into draft capital, a practical roster-management decision rather than a franchise-shaping swing. The Broncos grade stays at C because the return was useful but limited, while New Orleans Saints lands at C based on the player value it acquired.

Vikings received Bill Cody; sent draft pick (not exercised?).

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired 1971 fifth round pick (possibly #106-Larry Brown (b. 1949-06-16)) from New Orleans Saints for Don McCall. Analysis: Pittsburgh came away from this 1970 transaction with the stronger side of the exchange. The assets acquired from New Orleans Saints provided meaningful roster value — either through direct on-field contribution, draft capital, or positional need addressed — that outpaced what was sent away.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired 1971 fifth round pick (possibly #106-Larry Brown); 1971 eighth round pick (possibly #184-Larry Crowe) from New Orleans Saints for Earl Gros. Analysis: Pittsburgh came away from this 1970 transaction with the stronger side of the exchange. The assets acquired from New Orleans Saints provided meaningful roster value — either through direct on-field contribution, draft capital, or positional need addressed — that outpaced what was sent away.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired draft pick (possibly 1971 #106-Larry Brown) from New Orleans Saints for Mike Taylor (Ray); Marv Woodson. Analysis: Pittsburgh came away from this 1969 transaction with the stronger side of the exchange. The assets acquired from New Orleans Saints provided meaningful roster value — either through direct on-field contribution, draft capital, or positional need addressed — that outpaced what was sent away.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired Don McCall; 1971 fifth round pick (probably #106-Larry Brown); 1971 eighth round pick (#184-Larry Crowe) from New Orleans Saints for Don Shy; Ken Kortas. Analysis: Pittsburgh came away from this 1969 transaction with the stronger side of the exchange. The assets acquired from New Orleans Saints provided meaningful roster value — either through direct on-field contribution, draft capital, or positional need addressed — that outpaced what was sent away.

Vikings received cash; sent Ken Hebert / Ken Herbert.

Vikings received Tom Hall (Francis); sent Archie Sutton.

One of the worst trades in franchise history. Minnesota sent two first-round picks (1968 #7-Kevin Hardy and 1969 #17-John Shinners) to New Orleans for backup QB Gary Cuozzo. Cuozzo started only 7 games for Minnesota before Joe Kapp took over. Hardy was a serviceable DE; Shinners was a Pro Bowl guard for the Saints. The picks had enormous value that was completely squandered.

Summary: Pittsburgh acquired cash from New Orleans Saints for Eli Stroud. Analysis: The trade grades against Pittsburgh because the outgoing side carried more durable value, stronger draft upside, or a better long-term return for New Orleans Saints.