New Orleans Saints

San Francisco acquired linebacker Deion Jones from New Orleans for running back Zamir White in a late-August player-for-player exchange. The 49ers released Jones on August 30 before he made the initial 53-man roster, while New Orleans terminated White's contract the same day. No draft capital was reported in the swap, and neither acquiring club received regular-season roster value from the player it obtained.

Las Vegas moved former No. 7 overall pick Tyree Wilson and seventh-round selection No. 219 to New Orleans for pick No. 150 in the 2026 draft. The Raiders immediately used No. 150 on defensive back Dalton Johnson, while the Saints selected T.J. Hall at No. 219 and added Wilson. Both sides exchanged uncertain future value, so the early result remains balanced.

New Orleans traded punter Kai Kroeger and its 2028 seventh-round pick to Houston for the Texans' 2028 sixth-round pick in March 2026. Kroeger had punted in all 17 Saints games as a rookie, averaging 44.8 yards with 18 punts inside the 20. New Orleans moved up one late round while Houston filled a specialist vacancy at a modest cost.

Los Angeles Chargers received Trevor Penning in the exchange with New Orleans Saints. Trevor Penning gave Los Angeles immediate offensive-line depth and starts after the 2025 trade, so the Chargers have already realized usable player value. Against New Orleans Saints' return of a 2027 6th round pick, that outcome supports a C+ grade. The transaction is judged as Even Trade, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Seattle acquired Rashid Shaheed at the 2025 deadline for 2026 fourth- and fifth-round picks. Shaheed immediately added explosive receiving and return value, scored major special-teams touchdowns during the stretch run and postseason, and helped Seattle win Super Bowl LX before re-signing. New Orleans converted the picks into Jeremiah Wright and Lorenzo Styles Jr., leaving useful future upside but less proven value so far.

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.

New Orleans acquired offensive lineman Asim Richards and a 2028 seventh-round pick from Dallas on August 26, 2025, sending the Cowboys a 2028 sixth-round selection. Richards was a 2023 fifth-round pick who had appeared in 25 games with one start for Dallas. The Saints bought young line depth while moving down only one round in a draft three years away.

Denver traded receiver Devaughn Vele to New Orleans for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder. Vele caught 25 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games for the Saints in 2025, while Denver's fourth-round asset became pick No. 108 and Jonah Coleman. Turning a former seventh-round receiver into a fourth plus a future seventh gives Denver a B; New Orleans receives a C+.

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 sent Marshon Lattimore and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Washington for third-, fourth- and sixth-round selections. Those picks became Jonas Sanker, Quincy Riley and Devin Neal, and Sanker quickly emerged as a 16-game starting safety with two interceptions in 2025. Lattimore helped Washington during its 2024 NFC Championship run but played only 11 regular-season games for the Commanders through 2025. The younger, multi-player return now favors New Orleans.

New Orleans acquired defensive tackle John Ridgeway and Washington's 2025 seventh-round pick for the Saints' 2025 sixth-round selection. Ridgeway supplied rotational interior-line snaps, while the Saints retained a late-round draft asset. Washington improved by one round in draft order. The exchange gave New Orleans immediate depth at a modest draft cost without surrendering premium capital.

New Orleans moved from No. 45 to No. 41 for Kool-Aid McKinstry, sending Green Bay additional selections at Nos. 168 and 190. McKinstry developed into a high-level Saints starter with 17 pass breakups and three interceptions in 2025. Green Bay selected Edgerrin Cooper at No. 45 and retained two extra draft opportunities, creating substantial value on both sides.

Denver acquired kicker Wil Lutz from New Orleans for a 2024 seventh-round pick that became No. 239, Josiah Ezirim. Lutz immediately stabilized the Broncos' kicking job and gave Denver dependable veteran production for a minimal draft cost. New Orleans recovered a late selection after moving on to Blake Grupe, but the pick carried far less realized value than the proven specialist Denver received.

Denver sent the 195th pick in the 2023 draft to New Orleans for tight end Adam Trautman and pick No. 257. The Saints used No. 195 on receiver A.T. Perry, while Denver selected center Alex Forsyth at 257. Trautman became a regular part of Denver's offense and Forsyth added line depth. Perry flashed receiving ability but had a shorter Saints tenure, giving Denver the broader practical return.

Jacksonville received No. 227 in 2023 and a 2024 fourth-round pick. Raymond Vohasek did not create meaningful regular-season value, while Jordan Jefferson provided rotational defensive-line snaps for Jacksonville in 2024. The Jaguars therefore extracted some usable depth from the package, but not enough high-impact production to create clear separation from the reserve-quarterback value New Orleans received.

New Orleans moved up to pick No. 103 in the 2023 draft and selected guard Nick Saldiveri, sending Chicago picks No. 115 and No. 165. The Bears turned those selections into running back Roschon Johnson and cornerback Terell Smith. Both Chicago players supplied more sustained regular-season value than Saldiveri through the first three seasons, giving the Bears the stronger two-player return.

Denver sent New Orleans a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second for the rights to hire Sean Payton, receiving Payton and a 2024 third in return. After an 8-9 debut, Payton led Denver to consecutive playoff berths, a 14-3 record, the 2025 AFC West title and an AFC Championship Game appearance. New Orleans used the first-rounder on Bryan Bresee and leveraged the second-rounder in another trade. Both sides gained value, but Denver’s franchise turnaround now wins.

Philadelphia acquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a seventh-round pick for fifth- and sixth-round selections. Gardner-Johnson tied for the league lead with six interceptions despite missing time and helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII. New Orleans recovered limited draft value while surrendering a versatile defender at the start of his prime.

New Orleans moved from No. 16 to No. 11 in 2022 for Chris Olave, sending Washington third- and fourth-round picks in the process. Olave has 291 catches for 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns through four seasons, earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 and signed a new extension in 2026. Washington received meaningful value from Jahan Dotson and Brian Robinson Jr., but Olave became the best player in the transaction.

New Orleans acquired two 2022 first-round slots and used one on Trevor Penning, while Philadelphia received a future first, a future second, and additional selections. The 2023 first became the No. 10 pick that Philadelphia used in the move for Jalen Carter. The Eagles converted patience into premium, championship-level roster value.

New Orleans reacquired Mark Ingram from Houston for a future seventh-round pick, bringing back a franchise favorite at minimal cost. Ingram rushed for 260 yards and caught 20 passes for 138 yards in seven Saints games in 2021 while becoming the franchise's career rushing leader. Houston eventually used the 2024 pick on Solomon Byrd, who appeared in one game as a rookie. The Saints received more useful football value.

New Orleans acquired cornerback Bradley Roby from Houston in September 2021, sending the Texans a 2022 third-round pick and a 2023 sixth-rounder. Roby gave the Saints experienced secondary help, but the stay was relatively short. Houston recovered two future selections, including a day-two pick, for a veteran on a rebuilding roster. The amount and flexibility of that draft return give the Texans the edge.

Indianapolis traded pick No. 206 for Nos. 218 and 229, selecting quarterback Sam Ehlinger and receiver Mike Strachan. Ehlinger appeared in eight games and made three starts for the Colts, while Strachan played 23 games and caught six passes for 130 yards. The Colts created two roster chances, but neither player became a sustained starter, leaving the return useful mainly as depth.

Denver traded pick No. 76 to New Orleans for picks 98 and 105, selecting Quinn Meinerz and Baron Browning. Meinerz became a first-team All-Pro guard and signed a long-term extension, while Browning developed into a useful edge defender before Denver later traded him. New Orleans used No. 76 on Paulson Adebo, who started 51 games in four seasons and became a coveted free agent. Both teams hit, but Meinerz makes Denver's two-player return exceptional.

Jacksonville Jaguars received Malcom Brown from New Orleans Saints, giving up 2021 7th round pick (229th overall subsequently traded, Mike Strachan). Jacksonville's March 17 acquisition date is supportable, and the pick can be followed to No. 229. The return supports a B grade because the value directly tied to this deal fits that mark. The final verdict is Jacksonville Jaguars Win.

San Francisco traded Kwon Alexander to New Orleans for Kiko Alonso and a conditional fifth-round pick that became Deommodore Lenoir in 2021. Alonso supplied no playing return, but Lenoir developed into a long-term member of the secondary and earned a major extension. That direct draft outcome gives the 49ers the stronger lasting value from the exchange.

Houston Texans received 2021 6th round pick (212th overall subsequently traded, Damar Hamlin) from New Orleans Saints, sending 2020 7th round pick (240th overall, Tommy Stevens) the other way. The Texans retained useful follow-on trade value, while New Orleans received little from Stevens, favoring Houston. That outcome supports a B- grade for Houston Texans, and the overall verdict is Houston Texans Win.

Minnesota sent New Orleans pick No. 105, which became tight end Adam Trautman, and received four later selections that became James Lynch, Harrison Hand, Blake Brandel and Nate Stanley. Trautman developed into a useful Saints tight end, but Brandel became a long-term Vikings lineman and eventual starter, while Lynch and Hand added supporting snaps. Minnesota's broader return produced slightly more lasting value.

New Orleans moved up to No. 74 for linebacker Zack Baun and also received pick No. 244, while Cleveland acquired No. 88 and a 2021 third-rounder. Baun never became a full-time defensive centerpiece during four Saints seasons, and his later All-Pro breakthrough came after he left for Philadelphia. Cleveland received useful snaps from Jordan Elliott, but Anthony Schwartz added little, leaving the direct results close.

Miami acquired linebacker Vince Biegel from New Orleans in a straight player swap for Kiko Alonso immediately after the 2019 roster cutdown. Biegel played 15 games, started 10, recorded 59 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception. Alonso played 13 games with four starts for the Saints before a serious postseason knee injury ended his season.

New Orleans moved from No. 116 to No. 105 in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, sending the Jets picks No. 116 and No. 168. The Saints selected C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who developed into a versatile slot defender and safety and gave New Orleans three productive seasons before a later trade sent him to Philadelphia. That impact comfortably exceeded the modest cost of moving up eleven spots.

Miami traded down from No. 48 and received No. 62, No. 202 and a 2020 second-rounder. The Dolphins later used No. 62 in the Josh Rosen deal, drafted Isaiah Prince at 202 and selected Raekwon Davis at No. 56 in 2020. Those returns produced some value, but they did not match New Orleans' long-term payoff from Erik McCoy.

New Orleans acquired cornerback Eli Apple from the Giants for a 2019 fourth-round pick and a 2020 seventh-round pick. Apple became a starter immediately and remained in the lineup through the 2019 season, including the Saints' 2018 run to the NFC Championship Game. The Giants gained reasonable draft capital, but New Orleans received more direct on-field value from the exchange.

Cleveland acquired defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence from New Orleans for a 2019 seventh-round pick. Lawrence gave the Browns 12 regular-season appearances across 2018 and 2019, including two starts, eight tackles and a fumble recovery in 2019. The surrendered pick became No. 231 and New Orleans used it on Alize Mack, who never produced a regular-season appearance for the Saints. Cleveland realized the clearer return.

New Orleans acquired Teddy Bridgewater and a 2019 sixth-round pick from the Jets for a 2019 third-rounder. Bridgewater became Drew Brees' backup and delivered the trade's defining value in 2019, going 5-0 as the starter while Brees recovered from a thumb injury. The Saints also retained the sixth-round selection, while New York later used the incoming third-round capital in another draft-day move.

New Orleans paid picks No. 27 and 147 plus its 2019 first-rounder to jump to No. 14 for Marcus Davenport. Davenport flashed high-end ability and totaled 21.5 sacks in five Saints seasons, including nine in 2021, but injuries repeatedly limited his availability. Green Bay used the return as flexible capital in moves that helped produce Jaire Alexander in 2018 and Darnell Savage in 2019, giving the Packers the stronger long-term value.

New Orleans moved Adrian Peterson after four games in a crowded backfield and received a conditional 2018 sixth-round pick that became No. 189, used on Kamrin Moore. Arizona needed a runner after David Johnson's injury and got six starts, 448 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Peterson. The Cardinals received the more useful direct return, although the short stay keeps the margin modest.

New Orleans sent pick No. 229 and a 2018 second-rounder to San Francisco for pick No. 67, then selected Alvin Kamara. Kamara became one of the defining players of the Saints' modern era, earning five straight Pro Bowls to begin his career and setting major franchise rushing marks. San Francisco found some value in Adrian Colbert and later draft maneuvering, but nothing close to Kamara's impact.

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 Chris McCain from Miami for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick that did not convey. McCain appeared in only two games for the Saints, recording one tackle and no sacks before New Orleans waived him in November. Miami therefore received no draft asset, while the Saints received only brief depth service. New Orleans still holds the narrow hindsight edge because two regular-season appearances are more than the Dolphins realized, but the original B-range framing is too generous.

New Orleans sent No. 152 and a 2017 fifth-rounder to Washington for No. 120 and selected David Onyemata. He became a seven-season Saints defensive-line fixture with more than 100 appearances. Washington used the incoming picks on Matthew Ioannidis and Jeremy Sprinkle; Ioannidis developed into a productive interior pass rusher and Sprinkle supplied several years of tight-end depth. Both teams turned modest capital into real contributors.

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.

Washington sent pick No. 167 to New Orleans for pick No. 187 and a 2016 sixth-round selection. Washington used those assets on Evan Spencer and Nate Sudfeld, but neither became a substantial contributor for the club. The move down created two opportunities instead of one, yet the added draft volume did not develop into meaningful long-term Washington production.

Miami acquired young receiver Kenny Stills from New Orleans for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and the 78th pick in the 2015 draft. Stills gave the Dolphins four productive seasons and was a legitimate deep threat. The Saints received useful linebacker play from Ellerbe and used No. 78 on defensive back P.J. Williams, who remained with New Orleans for years. Both sides gained value, but the two-piece Saints return lasted longer.

New Orleans turned Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round pick into center Max Unger and the No. 31 selection, used on Stephone Anthony. Seattle still got three productive seasons from Graham, including two double-digit or near-double-digit touchdown campaigns, and the acquired fourth-rounder became part of the package used to move up for Tyler Lockett. Unger's four seasons anchoring the Saints' line give New Orleans the stronger long-term return.

Philadelphia acquired Darren Sproles for a fifth-round pick and received six seasons of multidimensional value. Sproles became an elite punt returner for the Eagles, contributed as a runner and receiver, and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his Philadelphia tenure. New Orleans used pick No. 169 on linebacker Ronald Powell, whose Saints career lasted only one season. The return gap makes this a clear Eagles win.

New Orleans Saints received Parys Haralson; San Francisco 49ers received 2014 seventh-round pick No. 242. Haralson played 32 Saints games, started 20 and recorded 6.5 sacks. San Francisco later packaged No. 242 in a larger trade with Denver instead of drafting Corey Nelson. The realized outcomes support New Orleans Saints Win, with New Orleans Saints graded B- and San Francisco 49ers graded C.

Miami traded the No. 82 pick to New Orleans for two fourth-round choices, Nos. 106 and 109. The Dolphins used No. 106 on tight end Dion Sims and later moved No. 109 in another draft-day trade. New Orleans used No. 82 on defensive tackle John Jenkins, who immediately joined the Saints' interior rotation and spent four seasons with the club.

The Jets acquired running back Chris Ivory from New Orleans for the 106th pick in the 2013 draft. Ivory became New York’s primary runner, surpassed 800 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons and broke 1,000 yards in 2015. The Saints combined pick No. 106 with No. 109 to move up for defensive tackle John Jenkins, so their return had value, but Ivory’s three productive Jets seasons were stronger.

Seattle traded linebacker Barrett Ruud to New Orleans in August 2012 and ultimately received the 220th pick in the 2013 draft, used on offensive lineman Ryan Seymour. The Seahawks converted a veteran who was unlikely to hold a major role into late-round capital. Seymour did not become a lasting Seattle contributor, keeping the realized return modest.

Miami acquired Reggie Bush and a later sixth-round pick from New Orleans for safety Jonathon Amaya and a sixth-round pick. Bush immediately delivered the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career and produced more than 2,600 yards from scrimmage across two Dolphins seasons. Amaya played only briefly for New Orleans, leaving Miami with a strong return for a very modest package.

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.

Washington sent New Orleans the 72nd pick in the 2011 draft for tackle Jammal Brown and the 155th selection. Brown started 26 games over two seasons, while the fifth-round choice became Niles Paul, who spent six years in Washington and developed into a useful tight end and special-teams player. New Orleans selected Martez Wilson at No. 72, but his impact never matched Washington's combined return.

Jacksonville received the 2011 fourth-round choice at No. 121 and used it on Chris Prosinski. Prosinski ultimately played more games and remained with the Jaguars longer than Matt Tennant did with New Orleans, giving Jacksonville a modest but meaningful edge. The B- grade reflects that realized football value and the complete supported package, while the overall verdict is Jacksonville Jaguars 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 a 2009 seventh-round pick and a 2010 fifth-rounder to Philadelphia for No. 164 and selected punter Thomas Morstead. Morstead spent 12 seasons with the Saints, earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, and became a central special-teams figure on the Super Bowl XLIV champion. Philadelphia retained useful draft capital, but nothing from the return approached Morstead's longevity and franchise impact.

New Orleans acquired Jeremy Shockey from the Giants in 2008 for second- and fifth-round selections in the 2009 draft. Shockey never regained his peak Giants production, but he started on the Saints' 2009 championship team and caught a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIV. New York used the picks on Clint Sintim and Rhett Bomar, neither of whom became a meaningful long-term contributor.

New Orleans acquired pick No. 237 from Green Bay in 2008 and selected wide receiver Adrian Arrington, sending the Packers a 2009 sixth-round choice that became No. 187. Arrington appeared in only five regular-season games for the Saints and caught nine passes for 110 yards. Green Bay used the future pick on defensive back Brandon Underwood, who also had a limited NFL impact, but he gave the Packers more usable roster time than Arrington gave New Orleans.

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 linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the Jets in 2008 and later sent New York a 2009 third-round pick after the trade's conditions were met; the Saints also received a 2009 fourth-rounder. Vilma became a defensive captain, made the 2009 Pro Bowl and helped lead the Saints to their Super Bowl XLIV championship. New York gained useful draft value, but New Orleans secured the centerpiece.

New Orleans traded picks 123 and 163 to Houston to move up to No. 107 for running back Antonio Pittman. Pittman did not survive final cuts, leaving the Saints with no regular-season return from the move. Houston used No. 123 on Fred Bennett, who started eight games and intercepted three passes as a rookie, giving the Texans the clear advantage.

New Orleans moved down from No. 58 in the 2007 draft and received picks 66 and 145, selecting safety Usama Young and cornerback David Jones. Detroit used the higher choice on defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis. Young became a useful multi-year Saints defensive back and special-teams player, while Alama-Francis produced limited starting value for Detroit.

Miami sent veteran kicker Olindo Mare to New Orleans for the 199th pick in the 2007 draft, which became guard Drew Mormino. Mare lasted only the 2007 season with the Saints and made 10 of 17 field-goal attempts. Mormino never appeared in a regular-season game for Miami, leaving both clubs with limited and short-lived value from the exchange.

New Orleans moved Donte' Stallworth to Philadelphia on August 25, 2006 and received linebacker Mark Simoneau plus the 2007 fourth-round pick that became Jermon Bushrod. Simoneau started 29 games for the Saints across 2006 and 2007, while Bushrod developed into a long-term offensive tackle and two-time Pro Bowler. The two-piece return gave New Orleans both immediate and lasting value.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Scott Shanle from Dallas for a 2007 seventh-round pick, which the Cowboys used at No. 237 on defensive back Alan Ball. Both players outperformed the typical expectations of their acquisition cost, but Shanle's long run as a New Orleans starter and championship contributor gives the Saints the stronger result.

Kansas City acquired running back Michael Bennett from New Orleans on August 2, 2006 for a 2007 fourth-round pick that became No. 123. Bennett produced 376 scrimmage yards across 17 Chiefs games before moving on in 2007. New Orleans later packaged the acquired choice with a fifth-rounder to draft Antonio Pittman, whom the Saints waived before his rookie season.

Buffalo acquired linebacker Courtney Watson from New Orleans for tight end Tim Euhus in June 2006. Neither player generated regular-season production for the team that acquired him. Watson's recorded NFL appearances ended with the Saints, and Euhus later played for Pittsburgh and Arizona rather than New Orleans. The swap gave both clubs a change-of-scenery evaluation without producing game-day value, leaving the deal essentially even at a low grade.

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 sent the 99th pick to Philadelphia for veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and No. 108, then used that fourth-round selection on guard Jahri Evans. Thomas became an immediate defensive-line contributor, while Evans started every game as a rookie and grew into a six-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro and Super Bowl XLIV champion. Philadelphia selected Max Jean-Gilles at No. 99, producing nowhere near the same value.

New Orleans sent the 34th pick to Cleveland and received center Jeff Faine and No. 43, which became safety Roman Harper. Faine immediately stabilized the Saints' offensive line, while Harper became a two-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XLIV champion and long-time defensive leader. Cleveland used No. 34 on linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who developed into a tackling machine and franchise cornerstone, making this a genuine win-win exchange.

Atlanta Falcons received Wayne Gandy, while New Orleans Saints received Bryan Scott and a conditional 2007 seventh-round pick that became No. 220 Marvin Mitchell. Gandy gave Atlanta 21 starts over 2006-07, while the Saints' conditional pick became Marvin Mitchell, who played 55 games over four New Orleans seasons. The hindsight grades are B- for Atlanta Falcons and B- for New Orleans Saints, producing a Even Trade verdict.

On 2005-10-11, Miami Dolphins received conditional seventh-round draft choice, while New Orleans Saints received Jesse Chatman. The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Miami Dolphins graded C and New Orleans Saints graded C. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

New Orleans moved from pick 16 to 13 for tackle Jammal Brown, sending Houston a future third-rounder in addition to the lower first. Brown became a two-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro for the Saints. Houston selected Travis Johnson at 16 and later Eric Winston at 66; Winston became a durable starting tackle. Both clubs created substantial value, making the exchange unusually balanced in hindsight.

Green Bay acquired quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and New Orleans' 2005 second-round pick, which became safety Nick Collins at No. 51, for cornerback Mike McKenzie and a conditional 2006 sixth-round choice that became Josh Lay. Collins developed into a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, giving Green Bay the best long-term asset in an otherwise productive exchange.

New Orleans moved up for fullback Mike Karney at pick 156 in 2004, sending Dallas picks 182 and 206. Karney became a five-year Saint and an important lead-blocking fullback, so New Orleans received solid value. Dallas then flipped both acquired picks in separate trades, eventually adding Nate Jones, Jacques Reeves, Darian Barnes and Patrick Crayton. Crayton became a productive long-term receiver, giving the Cowboys a narrow overall edge.

Minnesota moved up two spots in the 2004 second round for linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, sending New Orleans picks 50 and 151 for No. 48. Thomas became a useful multi-year Viking, but the Saints selected Devery Henderson at 50 and later used pick 151 in another trade that helped add 2005 second-round capital. Henderson’s long tenure and championship-era production give New Orleans the stronger return.

Washington moved up in the 2004 third round for tight end Chris Cooley and also received a fifth-round pick, while New Orleans acquired a fifth-rounder that became Rodney Leisle plus Washington's 2005 second-round pick, used on Josh Bullocks. Bullocks became a multi-year starter, so the Saints received real value. Cooley developed into a two-time Pro Bowler and one of Washington's most productive tight ends, giving Washington the better return.

Jacksonville Jaguars received 2004 5th round pick (150th overall, Chris Thompson) from New Orleans Saints. Jacksonville received the fifth-round choice later used on Chris Thompson. Thompson did not appear in a regular-season game for the Jaguars, leaving the club without direct on-field value from its incoming asset. That outcome supports a D grade for Jacksonville Jaguars. The final verdict is New Orleans Saints Win, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

New Orleans Saints received 2004 7th round pick (206th overall subsequently traded, Mark Jones) in the 2003-08-20 exchange with Washington. Washington acquired defensive tackle Martin Chase from New Orleans on August 20, 2003 for a 2004 seventh-round choice that would have escalated if Chase met a playing-time threshold. The condition did not trigger, leaving the Saints with pick No. 206. The documented result supports a C grade for New Orleans Saints. The overall verdict is Even Trade, based on realized value rather than hypothetical upside.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Derrick Rodgers from Miami in May 2003 for a 2004 seventh-round pick. Miami gained a future late-round asset and the Saints added an experienced defender at a very low acquisition cost. Neither side created a major long-term advantage, but New Orleans received usable veteran depth for a pick with limited expected value, giving the Saints a narrow edge rather than a decisive win.

Seattle acquired defensive tackle Norman Hand from New Orleans on April 27, 2003, for the 203rd selection in that year’s draft, a sixth-round pick used on Kareem Kelly. Hand gave Seattle six games and four starts in 2003, including one sack, but his stay was brief. The modest production roughly matched the limited value of the late-round cost.

New Orleans paid an enormous package to move from picks 17 and 18 to No. 6 in 2003, also exchanging second- and fourth-round value with Arizona. The Saints selected defensive tackle Johnathan Sullivan, while Arizona's return produced Bryant Johnson, Calvin Pace and Anquan Boldin. Sullivan became a major first-round disappointment and Boldin became a franchise star, creating one of the widest draft-trade gaps of the era.

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.

St. Louis acquired right tackle Kyle Turley from New Orleans in March 2003 for a 2004 second-round pick. Turley started all 16 games for the 12-4 Rams in his first season, but serious back problems prevented him from playing again for St. Louis. New Orleans used the 60th overall pick on linebacker Courtney Watson, whose Saints tenure was also limited. The Saints win because they converted Turley into premium draft capital before his availability collapsed.

New Orleans acquired quarterback Todd Bouman from Minnesota in March 2003 for a sixth-round pick. Bouman served as veteran quarterback depth for the Saints. Minnesota used the 190th overall selection on linebacker Mike Nattiel, who became a multi-season Vikings contributor. The trade gave New Orleans experienced depth while Minnesota converted a reserve passer into a younger roster asset.

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.

Cincinnati traded running back Curtis Keaton to New Orleans in 2002 and received a 2003 fourth-round pick that became fullback Jeremi Johnson at No. 118. Keaton appeared in six games for the Saints and carried only 12 times for 19 yards. Johnson became a durable Bengals regular, playing 96 games over seven seasons. Cincinnati converted a fringe player into years of useful starting-caliber backfield work and clearly won the exchange.

Kansas City acquired future Hall of Fame tackle Willie Roaf from New Orleans in March 2002 for a 2003 third-round pick. Roaf became a centerpiece of one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, earning four straight Pro Bowl selections with the Chiefs and multiple All-Pro honors. New Orleans did receive meaningful third-round capital and later used that asset in another transaction, so its return was not worthless. Kansas City nevertheless landed transformational value.

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.

New Orleans received cornerback Earthwind Moreland and a 2002 sixth-round pick that became tight end John Gilmore, sending running back and return specialist Chad Morton to the Jets. Moreland was released before the regular season and Gilmore never played for New Orleans, while Morton became a major return weapon for New York in 2002.

Washington acquired running back Robert Arnaud from New Orleans on July 20, 2001 for a conditional 2002 seventh-round pick. Washington released Arnaud in August, which prevented the condition from triggering, so the pick was not surrendered.

Dallas sent the 70th and 81st selections to New Orleans to move up to No. 53 for quarterback Quincy Carter. Carter started 31 games for the Cowboys, including all 16 in 2003, and finished his career with 6,337 passing yards. New Orleans selected linebacker Sedrick Hodge and defensive lineman Kenny Smith. Hodge became a 43-start contributor and Smith played 36 games, making the deal competitive but giving Dallas a slight positional-value edge.

New Orleans sent K.D. Williams and a 2001 third-round pick to Green Bay for Lamont Hall and quarterback Aaron Brooks. Brooks became the centerpiece, starting late in 2000 and helping deliver the first playoff victory in Saints history. He ultimately threw for 20,261 career yards and 123 touchdowns. Green Bay’s return never approached that franchise-level impact, making this an overwhelming Saints win.

New Orleans swapped linebacker Chris Bordano for defensive back Kevin Mathis on April 26, 2000. Mathis went on to play 115 NFL games and intercepted 11 passes, while Bordano’s career ended after 33 games and he did not become a Dallas regular. The Saints gained the more durable and productive player without adding draft capital, giving New Orleans the clear edge.

Indianapolis moved up 20 spots in the fifth round for guard Matt Johnson, sending New Orleans picks No. 158 and No. 195. Johnson never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The Saints used No. 158 on tight end Austin Wheatley and No. 195 on defensive back Michael Hawthorne; Hawthorne played 63 career games and made 19 starts. That usable sixth-round return gives New Orleans the win.

Chicago acquired Eddie Kennison from New Orleans for the 138th pick in the 2000 draft. Kennison started 10 games for the Bears that season and caught 55 passes for 549 yards and two touchdowns. New Orleans later traded the pick to Indianapolis and turned it into two later choices, including Michael Hawthorne. The Saints recovered some value, but Chicago received the strongest immediate production from the original exchange.

Kansas City and New Orleans exchanged seventh-round positions in 2000, with the Chiefs receiving the 208th overall pick and the Saints receiving No. 228. Kansas City selected Desmond Kitchings at 208, while New Orleans selected long snapper Kevin Houser at 228. Houser became a durable Saints specialist, giving New Orleans the better realized outcome despite moving down twenty slots.

Washington turned the No. 5 pick in the 1999 draft into the Saints' remaining 1999 draft class plus first- and third-round selections in 2000. The future first landed at No. 2 overall and became LaVar Arrington, while the rest of the package created extraordinary flexibility across two drafts. Washington did not maximize every individual piece, but controlling eight incoming selections for one move down created a massive roster-building advantage.

St. Louis traded wide receiver Eddie Kennison to New Orleans for the 41st pick in the 1999 draft and used it on cornerback Dre’ Bly. Bly played 167 NFL games, intercepted 43 passes, made two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl as a rookie. Kennison remained a productive NFL receiver, but his Saints stay was brief, giving the Rams the stronger long-term return.

Indianapolis and New Orleans swapped linebacker Andre Royal for tight end Scott Slutzker at the end of the 1998 preseason. Royal stepped directly into the Colts defense, appearing in 13 games with nine starts that season and making 51 tackles. Slutzker played only three games for New Orleans in 1998 and 11 in 1999. Indianapolis received the more substantial immediate return.

Oakland acquired veteran cornerback Eric Allen from New Orleans for the 97th pick in the 1998 draft. Allen intercepted 15 passes in four Raiders seasons and later entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame, giving Oakland a high-impact veteran secondary piece. New Orleans used the fourth-rounder on Fred Weary, who became a useful defensive back, so the Saints still received legitimate value.

Seattle acquired running back Daryl Hobbs from New Orleans on September 30, 1997, for a conditional draft choice that became the 204th pick in 1998. The Seahawks bought inexpensive backfield depth without surrendering meaningful capital. Hobbs did not develop into a major Seattle contributor, so the practical benefit remained limited despite the low acquisition cost.

New Orleans moved from pick No. 107 to Nos. 116 and 165, then selected wide receiver Keith Poole and offensive lineman Nick Savoie. Poole became the useful piece: he played 48 games for the Saints and caught 11 touchdowns. Savoie appeared only briefly, but Poole alone supplied more New Orleans production than Tennessee received from Pratt Lyons, making the trade-down worthwhile.

Washington moved on from former No. 3 overall pick Heath Shuler and received a 1997 fifth-rounder plus a 1998 third-rounder. The later pick became running back Skip Hicks, who scored 13 rushing touchdowns in 38 NFL games. Shuler's New Orleans stint was brief and unsuccessful. Recovering two draft choices from a quarterback who was already trending toward bust status made this a strong Washington exit.

Oakland moved from No. 10 to No. 2 in the 1997 draft, also receiving a sixth-rounder, and selected defensive tackle Darrell Russell. New Orleans received Daryl Hobbs plus picks 10, 39 and 107, using the first on guard Chris Naeole. Russell reached a higher peak with two Pro Bowls, while Naeole delivered much greater career longevity. The trade was productive for both sides and finishes close to even.

Oakland received the 1997 seventh-round selection No. 203 and later traded the pick. The Raiders retained some draft flexibility, but the low-value asset did not produce a comparable direct return to the multi-year defensive line service Austin Robbins gave New Orleans. That outcome supports a C- grade for Las Vegas Raiders within the final New Orleans Saints Win verdict.

Las Vegas Raiders received 1996 7th round pick (220th overall, Sedric Clark) from New Orleans Saints. The Raiders received the 1996 seventh-round pick used on Sedric Clark, but Clark did not provide Oakland with regular-season value. That outcome supports a D grade for Las Vegas Raiders when the trade is measured by the football value actually realized after the exchange.

New Orleans sent cornerback Reggie Jones to Cleveland in October 1994 for a future fifth-round pick. The selection became No. 136 in 1996, which the Saints used on Michigan receiver Mercury Hayes. Hayes played 11 games for New Orleans across 1996 and 1997 and caught four passes for 101 yards. The return was small, but it produced more Saints value than Jones produced for Cleveland.

New York moved from No. 13 to No. 12 in the 1994 first round and sent New Orleans the 143rd selection to secure cornerback Aaron Glenn. Glenn became a long-term starter and three-time Pro Bowler over his career, giving the Jets premium value from the targeted move. New Orleans still landed an excellent defender one pick later, keeping the transaction close.

The Rams traded veteran quarterback Jim Everett to New Orleans in March 1994 for a 1995 seventh-round pick. Everett was no longer Los Angeles' long-term answer, but he went on to give New Orleans multiple seasons of starting quarterback play. The Rams received only late-round compensation for a veteran who remained capable of starting elsewhere.

New Orleans sent star linebacker Pat Swilling to Detroit for the eighth and 89th picks in the 1993 draft. The Saints selected Willie Roaf at No. 8 and Lorenzo Neal at No. 89. Roaf became a Hall of Fame left tackle and one of the greatest players in franchise history, while Swilling's Detroit stay was short. New Orleans turned one veteran into two exceptional long-term NFL talents.

New Orleans sent Rueben Mayes to Seattle for the 95th pick in the 1992 draft and used the fourth-round selection on offensive lineman Gene McGuire. The Saints converted an injury-affected veteran back into younger draft capital, a sensible roster move. McGuire’s return did not create overwhelming separation, but the club recovered a legitimate mid-round asset rather than losing Mayes for little.

New Orleans moved up from No. 79 to No. 72 in the 1992 draft, sending Tampa Bay an additional fifth-round pick at No. 118. The Saints selected Tyrone Legette, while the Buccaneers took Tyji Armstrong and Rogerick Green. Legette became useful depth, but Armstrong supplied more sustained Tampa Bay production, giving the Buccaneers a narrow win rather than an even result.

New Orleans acquired running back Allen Pinkett from the Houston Oilers in January 1992 for a fifth-round pick in that year's draft. Houston used the transferred selection at No. 133 on linebacker Joe Bowden. Pinkett was added to strengthen a Saints backfield coming off an NFC West title, but a preseason knee injury prevented the deal from producing the hoped-for immediate return.

Detroit acquired wide receiver Brett Perriman from New Orleans for a 1992 fifth-round selection. Perriman became a six-year Lions fixture, starting 91 games and catching 428 passes for 5,244 yards and 25 touchdowns. New Orleans used the returned pick on Torrance Small, who became a useful multi-season Saints receiver, but Perriman's sustained Detroit production created the larger team-specific return.

New Orleans sent cornerback Robert Massey to Phoenix on August 19, 1991 for offensive lineman Derek Kennard and a 1992 fifth-round selection. Kennard became a regular Saints starter, including all 16 games in both 1992 and 1993, while the extra pick later became part of another draft move. Massey started extensively for Phoenix and intercepted five passes in 1992, including three returned for touchdowns.

Las Vegas Raiders received 1992 seventh round pick (#191-Dave Moore) in the deal with New Orleans Saints. The Raiders received pick 191 and later moved that selection as part of draft maneuvering. The asset retained some transactional value, but it did not create a comparable direct player return for the Raiders. That outcome supports a C+ for Las Vegas Raiders. The New Orleans Saints Win verdict weighs documented games, starts, production and connected draft value.

Dallas traded backup quarterback Steve Walsh to New Orleans for first-, third-, and second-round picks across two drafts. Walsh supplied some starting value for the Saints, but Dallas used the package to add Erik Williams and more roster-building capital. Williams became an All-Pro cornerstone of the offensive line that powered three Super Bowl champions.

New Orleans acquired defensive tackle Robert 'Pig' Goff from Tampa Bay for a 1991 tenth-round pick that became No. 265, Hyland Hickson. Goff spent six seasons with the Saints, appearing in 89 regular-season games and contributing to their defensive front. Hickson never played an NFL regular-season game. The exchange became a strong New Orleans win because a late pick produced years of useful defensive service.

New Orleans sent five late selections in the 1990 draft to the Raiders for a 1991 fourth-round pick that became No. 98. The Saints used their incoming choices on James Williams, Gerry Gdowski, Broderick Graves, Gary Cooper and Webbie Burnett. None became a major long-term piece. The Raiders later packaged No. 98 with another pick to move up the 1991 board, preserving draft flexibility rather than a direct standout player.

New Orleans acquired return specialist Bobby Morse from Philadelphia on April 24, 1989 for an 11th-round pick in the 1990 draft. Morse played 27 games for the Saints and delivered a 99-yard kickoff-return touchdown in 1989. Philadelphia used the future pick, No. 294, on center John Hudson, who went on to play 67 games for the Eagles. Hudson's longer tenure gives Philadelphia a narrow win.

Denver Broncos received Shawn Knight in the 1988-08-29 exchange involving New Orleans Saints. Knight appeared in 14 games for Denver during the 1988 season, giving the Broncos at least one season of usable depth from a player who had struggled to justify his original draft status. That realized return supports a C grade for Denver Broncos. The overall verdict is Denver Broncos Win, with the grade based on direct value created from this transaction.

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.

Denver moved up two spots in the third round of the 1988 draft, sending New Orleans picks No. 81 and No. 276 for No. 79. The Broncos used the higher choice on defensive back Kevin Guidry, who appeared in 14 games for Denver as a rookie. Neither Saints selection became an NFL contributor, giving Denver a small but real edge in an otherwise low-impact exchange.

Kansas City acquired linebacker Jack Del Rio from New Orleans on August 17, 1987 for a 1988 fifth-round pick that became No. 112, Greg Scales. Del Rio immediately played 10 games with seven starts for the Chiefs and returned for 15 games with 10 starts in 1988. That two-year defensive role gave Kansas City more direct value than the Saints received from Scales.

Minnesota traded wide receiver Mike Jones to New Orleans on September 2, 1986 for running back Wayne Wilson. Wilson had been productive earlier in his career, but his Minnesota stay produced only eight carries for 14 yards in seven games. The Vikings gained veteran depth, yet the return was brief and modest, leaving Minnesota with little direct football value from the exchange.

Indianapolis moved from No. 6 to No. 4 before the 1986 draft and selected defensive lineman Jon Hand, sending New Orleans No. 6 and No. 60. Hand became a nine-year Colt with 35.5 sacks, so Indianapolis received a good player. New Orleans, however, drafted Jim Dombrowski and Pat Swilling; Swilling became Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowler, giving the Saints the superior return.

New Orleans moved defensive back David Greenwood to Tampa Bay on August 30, 1985 and received a 1986 third-round pick, No. 57 overall. That pick became Rueben Mayes, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year, made two Pro Bowls and rushed for 3,484 yards as a Saint. The long-term return clearly outweighed Greenwood’s useful but brief Tampa Bay stint.

Washington acquired former rushing champion George Rogers plus three 1985 draft picks from New Orleans for the 24th overall selection. Rogers immediately became a major part of the offense, surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in 1985 and later contributed to Washington’s Super Bowl XXII championship season. The additional picks also produced useful roster pieces, giving Washington both immediate backfield help and extra depth from a single first-round investment.

Houston moved Earl Campbell to New Orleans for a 1985 first-round pick that became Richard Johnson, turning a declining franchise legend into a useful starting cornerback. The Saints reunited Campbell with Bum Phillips, but the move chased nostalgia more than remaining value. Campbell was no longer the dominant back from his Oilers peak, and New Orleans burned premium draft capital for a short, limited return.

Atlanta Falcons received 1985 sixth round pick (#152-Reggie Pleasant), while New Orleans Saints received Junior Miller. The Saints' draft history and the 1985 draft history confirm New Orleans sent a sixth-round selection, later No. 152, used on Reggie Pleasant. That return earns a D+ grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is New Orleans Saints Win.

New Orleans acquired quarterback Richard Todd from the Jets for the 1984 first-round selection that became linebacker Ron Faurot at No. 15. Todd started 14 games for the Saints in 1984 but struggled with 11 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions. Faurot played only 20 games for New York, so the Saints receive a narrow win despite modest results.

Buffalo acquired veteran safety Tommy Myers from New Orleans on August 4, 1983 for an undisclosed future draft choice. Contemporary reporting confirms the player-for-pick structure, but Myers did not make the Bills' regular-season roster and was released on August 29. The exact draft choice sent to New Orleans is not identified in the reviewed record.

On 1983-08-03, Miami Dolphins received Ed Simonini, while New Orleans Saints received future considerations (details not identified). The final verdict is Even Trade, with Miami Dolphins graded C and New Orleans Saints graded C. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Any conditional, undisclosed, or unidentified component is credited only to the extent that the surviving evidence establishes it.

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.

Buffalo moved a future third-round pick to New Orleans for the 1983 fourth-round choice used on defensive end Jimmy Payne. Payne spent his rookie year on injured reserve and never developed into an NFL contributor. The cost became meaningful when the Saints used Buffalo's 1984 third-rounder on safety Terry Hoage, who started 13 games with four interceptions for New Orleans in 1985.

New Orleans ended the Archie Manning era by sending its longtime quarterback to Houston for offensive tackle Leon Gray. Gray was already an accomplished offensive lineman and quickly gave the Saints a Pro Bowl season in 1983, while Manning's Oilers stay lasted only two games. The combination of immediate line quality and greater staying power makes New Orleans the clear winner.

Denver traded Kelvin Clark to New Orleans and received the 1984 fourth-round selection that became No. 96 Rickey Bolden. The Broncos later used that same pick as the key asset in the Dave Logan trade with Cleveland, so the selection retained meaningful transaction value beyond this exchange. That flexibility supports a B- grade for Denver.

Cincinnati sent veteran tight end Don Bass to New Orleans in August 1982 and received the Saints' 1983 sixth-round choice. New Orleans got only three regular-season games from Bass. Cincinnati used No. 152 on linebacker Kiki DeAyala, who later played 28 games with two starts for the Bengals. The return was modest, but it clearly exceeded the Saints' brief payoff from Bass.

Arizona acquired veteran defensive end Elois Grooms from New Orleans for a 1983 third-round pick that became running back Cliff Austin at No. 66. Grooms started 26 games for the Cardinals from 1982 through 1984 and recorded 7.5 sacks in those three seasons. Austin spent only his 1983 rookie year with the Saints and produced 41 yards from scrimmage, giving Arizona the much stronger direct return.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Whitney Paul from Kansas City in 1982 for the 1983 seventh-round pick that became Daryl Posey. Paul became a four-year Saints starter-level defender, appearing in 55 games with 39 starts and producing 23 sacks from 1982 through 1985. Kansas City's pick produced no Chiefs regular-season games, making this a substantial New Orleans win from a modest late-round investment.

New Orleans acquired the NFL rights to defensive lineman Bruce Clark from Green Bay on June 10, 1982, giving up its 1983 first-round pick. Clark then spent seven seasons with the Saints, produced 39.5 sacks, and reached the 1984 Pro Bowl. That sustained defensive production gave New Orleans the stronger return from a costly but successful rights acquisition.

New Orleans received Washington's 1983 fourth-round pick after sending five late 1982 selections to Washington. The Saints later moved that fourth-rounder to Buffalo for a 1984 third-round choice and used the resulting asset on Terry Hoage, who started 13 games with four interceptions in 1985. That downstream value balanced Washington's useful haul led by Ken Coffey and Don Laster.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Dennis Winston from Pittsburgh during the 1982 draft for the sixth-round pick used on Craig Bingham. Winston became an immediate Saints starter, making 42 starts in 43 games from 1982 through early 1985 and intercepting seven passes during that span. Bingham appeared in 29 games for Pittsburgh from 1982 through 1984 with one start. The Saints received substantially more impact from the exchange.

San Diego quickly used part of the John Jefferson return to acquire Wes Chandler from New Orleans, sending Aundra Thompson plus 1982 first- and third-round picks. Chandler became a premier Chargers receiver and a central piece of the Air Coryell offense. New Orleans did not receive comparable production from the package, giving San Diego a clear and lasting win.

Denver sent linebacker Rob Nairne to New Orleans and received the future fifth-round choice that became No. 125 Bruce Baldwin. Baldwin never produced a regular-season NFL return for the Broncos. Nairne immediately became useful for the Saints, playing all 16 games and starting 13 in 1981, so Denver received far less practical value from the exchange.

Minnesota acquired Tony Galbreath from New Orleans on August 31, 1981 for the 1982 third-round pick that became Eugene Goodlow. Galbreath gave the Vikings three useful seasons, totaling 788 rushing yards and 645 receiving yards while starting 11 games. Goodlow later became a productive Saints receiver with 1,677 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both teams turned the exchange into legitimate multi-year production.

New Orleans received the 1982 sixth-round pick used on Craig Bingham, while San Francisco received quarterback Guy Benjamin. Benjamin appeared in four games for the 1981 49ers and completed 15 of 26 passes for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Bingham produced no Saints regular-season contribution. Those outcomes support San Francisco C+, New Orleans C-, and a 49ers win.

Washington acquired Henry Childs from New Orleans for the 1982 third-round pick that became No. 68, Kenny Duckett. Six days later, Washington moved Childs to the Rams for a better third-round choice at No. 61 plus a seventh-round pick. New Orleans still received useful value from Duckett, who produced 34 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns as a Saint, but Washington’s immediate asset flip created the stronger return.

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 Orleans traded defensive end and linebacker Joe Campbell to Oakland on October 14, 1980 for a sixth-round draft choice. Saints history identifies that Raiders choice as the 1981 sixth-rounder used at No. 166 overall on linebacker Glen Redd. Campbell joined Oakland's Super Bowl XV championship team, while Redd became a five-season Saint and appeared in 76 NFL games.

San Diego acquired Chuck Muncie during the 1980 season for a 1981 second-round pick. Muncie became an important part of the Air Coryell offense, topped 1,100 rushing yards in 1981 and scored 19 rushing touchdowns that season. The Chargers paid a historic price in hindsight, but they still received several seasons of high-level production from the player they targeted.

Los Angeles Chargers received Rick Partridge from New Orleans Saints. Rick Partridge handled the Chargers' punting duties across the full 16-game 1980 season, delivering a clear one-year special-teams return. That realized return supports a B grade for Los Angeles Chargers. The final verdict is Los Angeles Chargers Win, based on the regular-season service and draft value each club actually received after the exchange.

Miami traded quarterback Guy Benjamin to New Orleans on August 28, 1980 for a 1981 fourth-round pick and a 1982 seventh-rounder. Benjamin played only two games for the Saints before they moved him again. Miami's fourth-rounder, Sam Greene, did not stick, but seventh-rounder Dan Johnson became a productive Dolphins tight end with 66 games, 34 starts, 1,012 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Miami won the exchange.

New Orleans acquired veteran defensive end Tommy Hart from Chicago on July 21, 1980 for past consideration. Hart played 15 games with 12 starts for the Saints in his final NFL season and was credited by the club with three sacks.

Buffalo acquired veteran guard Conrad Dobler from New Orleans for the 1981 eighth-round pick that became No. 214, Gene Gladys. Dobler immediately became a starter, playing 30 games with 29 starts for the Bills across 1980 and 1981. New Orleans used the pick on Gladys, but available draft records credit him with no NFL regular-season games. Buffalo received the clearly stronger football return.

The June 1980 Steve Riley entry reflects the resolution of an earlier Vikings-Saints transaction after Riley failed New Orleans' physical and remained with Minnesota. The Saints ultimately received 1981 third- and fifth-round selections, Nos. 71 and 128, while Minnesota retained Riley, who continued as a regular offensive tackle for several seasons. Both sides obtained real value, but the two future selections give New Orleans the stronger return and preserve a narrow Saints win.

Minnesota agreed to send tackle Steve Riley to New Orleans on April 18, 1980 for third- and fifth-round picks used on Brent Boyd and Paul Jones. Riley later failed the Saints' physical, and the transaction was unwound with Minnesota sending 1981 third- and fifth-round selections to New Orleans while retaining Riley. Boyd became a useful Vikings lineman, and Riley continued starting in Minnesota, giving the Vikings the stronger overall chain.

New Orleans Saints received 1981 sixth round pick (#144-Johnnie Poe) in the deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The sixth-round choice became Johnnie Poe, who spent seven seasons with New Orleans, played 100 games, started 90 and recorded 17 interceptions. That result supports a A for New Orleans Saints. The New Orleans Saints Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

Las Vegas Raiders received 1979 tenth round pick (#259-Ricky Smith) in the deal with New Orleans Saints. The tenth-round choice became Ricky Smith, who did not establish an NFL regular-season career after the selection. That result supports a D for Las Vegas Raiders. The New Orleans Saints Win verdict weighs the documented service and usable draft value each side actually realized from the exchange.

On 1978-08-27, Arizona Cardinals received Jim Thaxton (James Ivory Thaxton), while New Orleans Saints received 1979 seventh round pick (selection not identified). The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Arizona Cardinals graded C and New Orleans Saints graded C. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while treating conditional terms and later draft outcomes as context rather than as assets exchanged directly on trade day.

San Francisco acquired safety Chuck Crist from New Orleans on August 15, 1978 for linebacker Skip Vanderbundt. Crist started all 15 games he played for the 49ers and led the team with six interceptions for 159 return yards.

Kansas City traded defensive tackle Keith Simons to New Orleans in July 1978 and received the future ninth-round selection that became No. 229 in the 1979 draft. The Chiefs used it on Ohio State tackle Joe Robinson. Robinson never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, so Kansas City successfully created a draft asset from Simons but did not turn that asset into measurable regular-season production.

Atlanta Falcons received Ernie Jackson (b. 1950-04-11), while New Orleans Saints received Ray Brown (Madison). Transaction records show Atlanta acquired veteran defensive back Ernie Jackson from New Orleans for Ray Brown on May 2, 1978. That return earns a C grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is New Orleans Saints Win.

San Francisco received fullback Greg Boykin, who played all 16 games in 1978, started eight, and produced 473 scrimmage yards with two rushing touchdowns. New Orleans received safety Ralph McGill, who played 29 games over two seasons, including all 16 in 1978. Both clubs extracted legitimate short-term value, supporting an even trade.

New Orleans reacquired defensive lineman Richard Neal from the Jets on February 21, 1978 for the seventh-round pick that became No. 169. Neal appeared in two games and made one start for the Saints that season. New York used the selection on Levi Armstrong, who did not record an NFL regular-season career. The Saints gained only modest value, but it was still the clearer realized return.

St. Louis acquired defensive end Bob Pollard and guard Terry Stieve from New Orleans. Stieve arrived as a young lineman with starting experience, while Pollard provided veteran defensive help, giving the Cardinals two usable roster pieces in one transaction. New Orleans also received meaningful veterans, but the combination of age, role, and depth gave St. Louis a narrow edge.

New Orleans traded rookie punter Cliff Parsley to the Houston Oilers on September 12, 1977 for a draft choice that became the 1978 sixth-round pick at No. 157 overall, Francis Chesley. The choice had originated with Washington before moving through Houston. Parsley became Houston's punter for six seasons and 82 games, while Chesley never played a regular-season game for New Orleans.

New Orleans traded defensive end Andy Dorris to Seattle on September 6, 1977, for an eleventh-round pick in the 1978 draft, No. 285 overall. The Saints selected running back Dave Riley, who did not appear in an NFL regular-season game. Dorris played four games and started once for Seattle, giving the Seahawks a small but measurable edge in realized value.

San Francisco 49ers received Paul Seal; New Orleans Saints received John Watson. Seal played 43 games for San Francisco from 1977-79, catching 37 passes for 634 yards and three touchdowns. Watson appeared in 15 games for New Orleans over three seasons and made five starts, all in 1978. The realized outcomes support San Francisco 49ers Win, with San Francisco 49ers graded B- and New Orleans Saints graded C.

Cincinnati sent running back Stan Fritts to New Orleans on July 21, 1977, for a conditional future draft choice. Bengals team history supplies the decisive detail: Fritts did not make the Saints' regular-season roster, so the condition failed and no pick changed hands. Cincinnati moved on from the player, while New Orleans received only a preseason look.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Pat Hughes from the New York Giants on April 21, 1977 for a 1978 tenth-round pick. That selection became No. 253 overall, Greg Jorgensen. Hughes gave the Saints three full seasons of useful defensive work, playing 46 games and starting 40 from 1977 through 1979. Turning a tenth-round choice into that volume of starting experience favored New Orleans.

New Orleans acquired Ed McAleney from Tampa Bay for cash in February 1977. The available record confirms the player movement but does not preserve the exact cash amount, which limits how precisely the financial side can be weighed. McAleney did not become a major long-term asset for the Saints, and Tampa Bay's cash return was modest, leaving the trade effectively even at a low grade.

Los Angeles Chargers received a 1977 ninth-round pick from New Orleans Saints in the 1976-08-10 trade; the exact selection remains unresolved. New Orleans received Halvor Hagen but released him before a regular-season appearance. San Diego therefore realized a late-round draft asset while New Orleans received no regular-season player value. That supports Chargers C+, Saints D, and a Chargers win.

Los Angeles Rams received Bivian Lee from New Orleans Saints in the 1976-08-08 trade. Los Angeles acquired cornerback Bivian Lee, a direct veteran roster return in 1976. New Orleans Saints's return was 1977 sixth round pick (#162-Tom Schick). New Orleans received the 1977 sixth-round pick at No. 162. Those realized outcomes, rather than the labels on the assets alone, drive the hindsight grade.

New Orleans acquired defensive tackle Steve George from St. Louis in late July 1976 for an undisclosed choice in the 1977 NFL draft. George never appeared in a Saints regular-season game; he went to injured reserve in August, was released, and later played one game for Atlanta. St. Louis therefore recovered draft capital for a player who produced no regular-season value for New Orleans.

Los Angeles traded linebacker Ken Bordelon to New Orleans for a 1977 fourth-round pick and used No. 91 on quarterback Vince Ferragamo. Ferragamo eventually became a multi-year Rams starter and took over the 1979 team during its run to Super Bowl XIV, giving Los Angeles exceptional value from a fourth-round selection.

New Orleans received veteran defensive back Jim Kearney. He played all 14 games for the Saints in 1976 and made two starts, giving New Orleans immediate, documented regular-season value from the exchange. That result supports a B- grade within the New Orleans Saints Win verdict.

Minnesota traded veteran Bob Stein to New Orleans on April 7, 1976 for a 1977 draft choice. Transaction histories establish the player and future pick but do not identify the round or eventual selection. Stein was nearing the end of a career that included Kansas City and Los Angeles before Minnesota, so the deal reads as a modest veteran-for-future-value exchange.

San Diego sent quarterback Bobby Douglass and a 1976 third-round choice to New Orleans for linebacker Rick Middleton. Middleton spent multiple seasons with the Chargers but was primarily depth, starting only twice across his San Diego tenure. The return was serviceable, yet it did not match the immediate quarterback value New Orleans received.

Baltimore acquired Howard Stevens from New Orleans for a 1977 fifth-round pick and received three seasons of useful return work. Stevens handled 109 punt returns for 1,012 yards with the Colts and added substantial kickoff-return production, especially in 1976. New Orleans used the No. 136 selection on Dave Hubbard, whose NFL career lasted only five games. Baltimore received the clearly stronger result.

Miami sent wide receiver Melvin Baker to New Orleans for a 1976 seventh-round choice used on Joe Ingersoll. Baker appeared in two games with one start for the Saints before moving on, while Ingersoll never logged an NFL regular-season career. Neither return was substantial, but New Orleans at least received brief on-field production, giving the Saints a narrow edge.

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.

Chicago obtained veteran center John Didion, while New Orleans received the 1976 seventh-round choice that became Ed Bauer. Didion's NFL career had effectively reached its end by the time of the exchange, and Bauer did not produce an NFL career from pick No. 201. The deal was a low-cost depth transaction with little lasting value on either side. Chicago took the immediate veteran option, while New Orleans deferred its return to the bottom of the next draft.

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 Orleans acquired the No. 12 pick in the 1975 draft and selected offensive lineman Kurt Schumacher, while the Jets received defensive lineman Billy Newsome. Schumacher stayed with the Saints for 45 games and made 20 starts. Newsome immediately started all 14 games for New York in 1975 and recorded eight sacks, giving both teams useful value on different timelines.

Minnesota acquired offensive lineman Andy Maurer and received useful immediate line help. New Orleans received the 1975 third-round pick used on defensive end Elois Grooms, who played 99 games for the Saints and recorded 42.5 sacks for the franchise. Maurer made the Vikings' side respectable, but Grooms became a far more durable and productive asset in New Orleans. The third-round pick produced the best player value in the exchange.

St. Louis acquired veteran defensive back Ken Reaves from New Orleans on October 17, 1974 for the 1975 fourth-round choice that became Charlie Hall at No. 99. Reaves immediately joined the Cardinals and remained there through 1977, intercepting eight passes for St. Louis over those seasons. New Orleans converted the pick into Hall, but the selected player did not match the multi-season defensive contribution Reaves supplied the Cardinals. That balance of realized value gives the edge to Arizona Cardinals / St. Louis Cardinals.

New Orleans acquired veteran receiver Fair Hooker from Cleveland for Jubilee Dunbar, also listed as Allen Dunbar. Dunbar appeared in five games for the Browns in 1974 and caught six passes for 74 yards. Hooker did not produce a Saints regular-season appearance after the move, so Cleveland receives a narrow edge from the limited direct value.

New Orleans acquired running back Vince Clements from the New York Giants on August 22, 1974 for a conditional 1975 draft choice. The transaction ledger indicates that the pick was not exercised, and Clements was released by the Saints eight days later after failing a physical. He never appeared in a regular-season game for New Orleans, leaving neither side with verified post-trade NFL field value.

Baltimore acquired tackle Tom Drougas from New Orleans for a future fourth-round pick, with contemporary material identifying it as a 1975 selection while later accounts differ on the year. The Colts moved Drougas to Denver only six days later for an eighth-round choice. That quick downgrade left Baltimore with less value than it paid and gives New Orleans the stronger side.

Atlanta Falcons received Royce Smith and Dick Palmer from New Orleans Saints. Royce Smith played 38 games for Atlanta across three seasons, and Dick Palmer appeared in all 14 games in 1974. Together they gave the Falcons multiple seasons of combined roster value. That outcome supports a B+ grade for Atlanta Falcons when the trade is measured by the football value actually realized after the exchange.

Detroit moved center Dave Thompson and the No. 13 pick to New Orleans for the No. 8 pick and a 1975 sixth-round choice. The Lions used No. 8 on linebacker Ed O'Neil, who played six seasons for Detroit and started 60 games; the later sixth-rounder became Fred Cooper, who did not play in the NFL. New Orleans selected Rick Middleton at No. 13, and both Middleton and Thompson lasted only two seasons with the Saints. That balance of realized value gives the edge to Detroit Lions.

New Orleans acquired defensive end Andy Dorris from St. Louis for the 1975 eighth-round pick used on John Adams. Dorris became a meaningful Saints contributor, playing 42 games from 1974 through 1976 and starting 21 of them. Adams never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, so the Saints received far more realized football value from the exchange.

New Orleans acquired tight end Len Garrett from Green Bay for the 1974 eighth-round choice used on safety Ned Guillet. Garrett appeared in 27 Saints games across 1973 and 1974 and remained with the club into 1975, while Guillet never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. That clear difference in realized value gives New Orleans the win.

New Orleans received 1974 fourth round pick (#88-Rod McNeill), 1974 fifth round pick (#113-Joel Parker), while San Francisco received Danny Abramowicz. The hindsight grades are B- for New Orleans and C+ for San Francisco. The verdict is grounded in the actual starts, production, tenure and downstream draft results produced by those assets.

Chicago traded defensive back Jerry Moore to New Orleans in 1973 for the 1975 fifth-round pick that became guard Revie Sorey. Sorey developed into a major long-term return, playing 109 games with 77 starts for the Bears and becoming a fixture on the offensive line during Walter Payton's prime. Moore played 19 games over two Saints seasons, making Chicago the decisive winner.

Cincinnati traded running back Jess Phillips to New Orleans for 1974 third- and fifth-round picks. The third-rounder became Dave Lapham, who played 140 Bengals games and started on Cincinnati's first Super Bowl team; the fifth became Haskel Stanback. Phillips gave the Saints two productive rushing seasons, so New Orleans received real value, but Lapham's decade in Cincinnati makes the Bengals the clear winner.

Buffalo acquired veteran defensive lineman Dave Long from New Orleans on August 29, 1973 for an undisclosed draft choice. Long was released before the regular season and never appeared in a Bills game. The Saints later held Buffalo's 1975 sixth-round pick at No. 149, used on Mike Lemon, and transaction research identifies the Long trade as the probable source. Buffalo received no realized regular-season value.

Miami sent Jeff White to New Orleans for a 1974 seventh-round selection and used the pick on Carl Swierc at No. 164. Swierc did not produce a regular-season NFL career for the Dolphins. White likewise did not provide a Saints regular-season contribution after the trade, leaving both clubs without meaningful direct football value from the assets they acquired.

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 Orleans acquired defensive lineman Leo Brooks from Houston on August 20, 1973 in a straight player-for-player trade for running back Bob Gresham. Brooks did not become a regular-season Saints contributor and soon moved on, while Gresham immediately started 10 games for the Oilers and produced 400 rushing yards plus 244 receiving yards in 1973. Houston received the clearly stronger first-year return.

New Orleans traded running back James Ford to Houston on August 1, 1973 for sixth- and tenth-round choices in the 1974 draft. Houston released Ford before the regular season, while the Saints retained two future selections. Because the Oilers received no regular-season contribution and New Orleans recovered two draft assets, the Saints hold a straightforward but still modest hindsight win.

New Orleans acquired safety Johnny Fuller from San Francisco on July 9, 1973 for a future third-round draft choice. The strongest completed draft chain points to the Saints' 1976 third-round pick, No. 63 overall, which passed through San Francisco to Kansas City and became linebacker Keith Simons. Fuller immediately became a Saints starter and logged 36 games with 34 starts from 1973 through 1975.

Cincinnati traded receiver Drew Buie to New Orleans on June 5, 1973, for a future draft choice whose exact selection has not been securely traced. Buie never appeared in a regular-season game for the Saints and was released before the season. Cincinnati's eventual pick cannot be assigned a specific player, but the Bengals still moved an expendable veteran for draft consideration.

New Orleans acquired Bob Davis, punter Steve O'Neal and a 1974 fourth-round choice from the Jets for Julian Fagan, Margene Adkins and a 1974 eighth-round selection on June 5, 1973. O'Neal immediately became the Saints' punter, and the higher draft choice gave New Orleans the stronger asset package. The Saints earn the edge even though neither side created a major long-term centerpiece.

San Francisco 49ers received 1975 fourth-round pick No. 85, Cleveland Elam; New Orleans Saints received Preston Riley. Elam became a two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman for San Francisco and started 33 games from 1976-78. Riley appeared in only one game for New Orleans in 1973 and recorded no reception. The realized outcomes support San Francisco 49ers Win, with San Francisco 49ers graded A- and New Orleans Saints graded D+.

Cincinnati sent tight end Mike Kelly to New Orleans in April 1973 for the 1974 sixth-round choice that became No. 153, used on William 'Bill' Bryant. Bryant did not become a Bengals regular-season contributor, so the future selection never produced lasting on-field value for Cincinnati. Kelly's Saints stay was similarly brief, leaving the two sides with little meaningful separation.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Adrian Young from Detroit on April 9, 1973, for the Saints’ 1974 sixth-round pick, No. 139, later used on Willie Burden. Young was released before the season and never played a regular-season game for New Orleans. Burden also never appeared in an NFL regular-season game for Detroit. Neither side turned the trade into meaningful NFL value.

New Orleans acquired quarterback Kent Nix and defensive tackle Ron Billingsley from Houston for Edd Hargett, Dave Parks and Tom Stincic in March 1973. Neither Nix nor Billingsley played a regular-season game for the Saints, while Parks made five appearances for Houston. The Oilers therefore receive a slight edge, though the transaction produced little lasting value for either club.

Baltimore acquired the No. 2 pick in the 1973 draft from New Orleans and used it on quarterback Bert Jones, sending defensive lineman Billy Newsome and the No. 86 selection, Jim Merlo, to the Saints. Jones became the 1976 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and led Baltimore's resurgence. The Saints received useful pieces, but nothing close to a franchise quarterback at his peak.

New Orleans sent Richard Neal and Delles Howell to the Jets for 1973 second- and third-round picks. Steve Baumgartner became a useful Saints defender, but the Jets received the better combined player return: Neal developed into a multi-year starter and Howell added three productive seasons in New York. That sustained two-player contribution gives the Jets the hindsight edge.

Philadelphia acquired linebacker Dick Absher from New Orleans on September 15, 1972 for the 1975 fourth-round choice later used on John Starkebaum at No. 92. Absher played eight games for the Eagles and recorded an interception. Starkebaum suffered a major knee injury in his first Saints training camp and never played an NFL regular-season game, giving Philadelphia the slight hindsight advantage.

Minnesota sent tight end Bob Brown to New Orleans in September 1972 for two future selections. The Vikings used the 1973 sixth-round pick on Doug Kingsriter and the 1974 fourth-round choice on Mike Townsend, but neither became a major long-term contributor. Brown played all 14 games for New Orleans in 1972 and remained with the Saints into 1973, giving them the stronger direct return.

Kansas City sent its 1972 fourth-round pick, No. 101, to New Orleans for Charles “Donnie” Williams. The Chiefs waived Williams later that August, while the Saints used the pick on defensive end Mike Coleman, who was also released without becoming a regular-season contributor. Neither side converted the exchange into meaningful on-field value.

New Orleans acquired linebacker Tom Stincic from Dallas in July 1972, and the Cowboys received the 1973 third-round pick used on Harvey Martin at No. 53. Martin became one of the defining defenders in Cowboys history, earning four Pro Bowls and sharing Super Bowl XII MVP honors. That extraordinary conversion overwhelms the Saints’ modest return and makes this a decisive Dallas victory.

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.

Washington sent linebacker Bob Grant and its 1973 eighth-round pick, No. 207, to New Orleans on June 16, 1972 for the Saints' 1973 third-round choice, No. 54. Washington later moved No. 54 to Cleveland for tackle Mitch Johnson and a 1974 eighth-round pick, No. 196 Darwin Robinson. Neither Johnson nor Robinson produced a Washington regular-season appearance.

Atlanta Falcons received 1972 sixth round pick (#146-Fred Riley) in the exchange with New Orleans Saints. The sixth-round choice became Fred Riley, who did not create meaningful NFL value for Atlanta. Against the other side's return of John Mallory, that outcome supports a C- grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Even Trade, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

New Orleans acquired Margene Adkins from Dallas on February 1, 1972, and the Cowboys received the second-round pick used on linebacker John Babinecz at No. 39. Adkins offered the Saints veteran receiving depth, but Dallas turned the exchange into a player who appeared in 26 games over two Cowboys seasons. That stronger and more durable return gives Dallas the clear hindsight edge.

Oakland moved into the No. 33 slot of the 1972 draft and selected defensive tackle Kelvin Korver. New Orleans received the No. 39 selection, used on linebacker John Babinecz, plus the No. 74 choice, used on defensive back Tom Myers. The exchange was a classic trade-down in which both clubs converted draft position into players.

New Orleans acquired Joe Williams from Dallas on January 31, 1972, while the Cowboys received the fourth-round choice that became linebacker Tim Kearney at No. 83. Williams appeared for the Saints that season, but Dallas converted the outgoing player into useful draft value. Kearney did not stick with the Cowboys long term, so the advantage is real but appropriately modest.

Baltimore acquired guard John Shinners from New Orleans in January 1972 for defensive back Jim Duncan, the 1972 fifth-round choice used on Bob Davies and the 1973 sixth-round choice later associated with Doug Kingsriter. Shinners remained with the Colts only until October before Baltimore traded him again, giving the club some recoverable value but not a lasting starter from the original exchange.

New Orleans traded running back Tony Baker to Philadelphia on October 27, 1971 for the 1972 fourth-round pick that became linebacker Joe Federspiel. Federspiel became one of the most durable defenders in early Saints history, starting 111 games for New Orleans from 1972 through 1980. Baker gave Philadelphia 18 games and six starts across two seasons, making the long-term value overwhelmingly favor the Saints.

New Orleans acquired Richard Harvey from Philadelphia for Jim Ward. Harvey appeared only briefly for the Saints and did not become a significant long-term contributor, leaving New Orleans with little durable value from the exchange. Ward's results in Philadelphia were similarly limited, so neither side produced enough meaningful regular-season return to create a clear advantage.

Green Bay acquired Richard Winther from New Orleans for the 1972 fifth-round pick later used on Bill Butler. Winther's Packers stay was brief and produced limited playing value. Butler, by contrast, spent three seasons with the Saints, appeared in 41 games, and started 21, giving New Orleans a much stronger realized return from a modest draft choice.

Detroit sent Carl Cunningham to New Orleans and received the 1973 fourth-round pick later used on Mike Hennigan. Cunningham started for the Saints in 1971 and gave New Orleans useful immediate help. Detroit later got on-field value from Hennigan, so the Lions converted a player they moved into a modest but tangible future return and finished with the stronger long-term result.

Minnesota acquired defensive lineman Doug Sutherland from New Orleans for running back Bill Harris in August 1971. The transaction involved one Harris, not two duplicate player entries. Sutherland went on to play 138 regular-season games for Minnesota, start 90 and appear in three Super Bowls. Harris played only one game for New Orleans and gained one rushing yard, producing an overwhelming Vikings advantage.

Washington acquired running back Tom Barrington from New Orleans on August 4, 1971 in exchange for defensive end Bruce Anderson. Barrington did not appear in a regular-season game after returning to Washington; Pro Football Archives records his release on September 11. The 1973 draft ledger later suggests possible draft-choice movement around the deal, but those pick links are explicitly unresolved and are not included in the verified package.

On 1971-08-03, Atlanta Falcons received Ray Poage, while New Orleans Saints received undisclosed draft pick. The hindsight verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win, with Atlanta Falcons graded C+ and New Orleans Saints graded C. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

New Orleans sent offensive lineman Don Talbert to Dallas for running back Doug Mooers and a 1972 fourth-round pick, No. 104. The Saints later moved that pick onward, so Eric Allen should be treated as the eventual player tied to the selection rather than a New Orleans draftee. Mooers became a 14-game Saints starter in 1972, while Talbert had a smaller Dallas role, giving New Orleans the edge.

New Orleans sent defensive lineman Mike Tilleman to Houston and received Glen Ray Hines, Jess Lewis and two future draft choices. The Saints used the 1972 second-rounder on Willie Hall and later moved the 1973 third-round asset in another transaction. Houston received a dependable starter in Tilleman, while New Orleans gained several useful avenues of value through players and draft capital.

Oakland Raiders received Elijah Nevett from New Orleans Saints, giving up draft pick (probably 1972 #150-Curt Watson). Oakland obtained a veteran player immediately and did not have to wait for a future selection to become useful. Nevett gave the Raiders a direct roster asset, which is enough to support the modest B- mark in a low-stakes deal. That return supports a B- grade for Oakland Raiders. The final verdict is Oakland Raiders Win.

Denver acquired Steve Ramsey from New Orleans for the future fourth-round selection that ultimately became No. 83 Tim Kearney after later movement. Ramsey spent six seasons with the Broncos and developed into a multi-year starting quarterback. That sustained direct service gave Denver substantial value, while New Orleans did not retain a comparable payoff from the original draft consideration.

Denver Broncos received 1973 fifth round pick (#106-Dave Reavis), while New Orleans Saints received John Huard. Denver received New Orleans' 1973 fifth-round choice, later No. 106, and subsequently moved that selection to Pittsburgh in the Lloyd Voss transaction. John Huard appeared in only one game for New Orleans, so the Broncos extracted more practical value from the exchange. Denver Broncos earns a B- grade, and the overall verdict is Denver Broncos Win.

Minnesota acquired Bill Cody from New Orleans for an undisclosed conditional future draft choice. Cody did not become a meaningful regular-season contributor for the Vikings before moving on, so Minnesota received little lasting value from the player. The Saints' conditional return cannot be tied confidently to a productive selection, leaving neither club with enough verified value to separate itself from the other.

New Orleans received defensive end Leo Carroll plus the seventeenth-round choice at No. 428, used on Hermann Eben. The Saints gained two pieces, but the later football payoff was modest and did not create a clear advantage. That result supports a C grade and fits an even overall verdict.

New Orleans traded running back Jim Otis to Kansas City in January 1971 for the seventh-round pick that became receiver Bob Newland. Newland became an outstanding late-round return, catching 124 passes for 1,877 yards and eight touchdowns in 56 Saints games from 1971 through 1974. Otis contributed two reserve seasons for Kansas City, but Newland's sustained receiving production created a decisive Saints win.

New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans completed this trade on 1971-01-25. Burrough became the defining asset, spending eleven seasons with Houston, reaching the Pro Bowl and leading NFL wide receivers with 1,063 yards in 1975. New Orleans received volume, but no comparable long-term centerpiece. The post-trade results provide the clearest measure of what each club gained from the exchange. The historical return supports a Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans Win verdict, with New Orleans Saints graded C+ and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans graded A.

Washington acquired quarterback Billy Kilmer from New Orleans in January 1971 for linebacker Tom Roussel plus 1971 picks No. 88 Richard 'Wimpy' Winther and No. 194 James Elder. Kilmer became a central starter, led Washington to consecutive playoff appearances and started the franchise's first Super Bowl. That impact overwhelms the Saints' three-asset return and makes this a clear Washington win.

New Orleans reacquired running back Don McCall from Pittsburgh on December 10, 1970, for a 1971 fifth-round draft choice. McCall played the Saints' final two games, starting one and rushing for 63 yards with a touchdown. Multiple historical summaries compete for the exact No. 106 pick lineage, so Pittsburgh receives credit for the fifth-round asset without assigning Larry Brown exclusively to this deal.

On 1970-10-10, Los Angeles Rams received 1971 seventeenth round pick (#418-Randy Vataha), while New Orleans Saints received Elijah Pitts. The final verdict is New Orleans Saints Win, with Los Angeles Rams graded C+ and New Orleans Saints graded B. The hindsight view follows the documented consideration and later traceable value without treating every named pick outcome as if it had been directly exchanged on trade day. Both sides have identifiable consideration, allowing the hindsight grade to focus on what those assets actually became.

San Francisco traded running back Gary Lewis to New Orleans on September 21, 1970 for the Saints' 1971 tenth-round pick, No. 236. The 49ers used the selection on Wisconsin-Oshkosh running back Ron Cardo, who did not record an NFL regular-season appearance.

New Orleans acquired defensive end Willie Townes from Dallas on September 9, 1970 for a 1971 fourth-round pick that became Joe Carter at No. 80. Townes’ Saints tenure was brief, but he appeared in six games and started four. Carter never appeared in an NFL regular-season game for Dallas. Neither return was large, yet New Orleans received actual playing value while the Cowboys’ draft conversion produced none, giving the Saints a narrow win.

New Orleans acquired veteran running back Earl Gros from Pittsburgh on September 1, 1970, for 1971 fifth- and eighth-round draft choices. The eighth-rounder is traceable to No. 184, Larry Crowe, while historical summaries also associate Pittsburgh with the Saints' fifth-round slot. Gros barely contributed in New Orleans, making the draft-capital return far more valuable for Pittsburgh.

New Orleans reacquired linebacker Jackie Burkett from Dallas on June 23, 1970 for veteran safety Dave Whitsell and rookie running back Tom Broadhead. Burkett played all 14 games, started 10, intercepted four passes, and handled long-snapping duties in his final NFL season.

Los Angeles Chargers received Bob Miller. The locked Wave 209 research supports the D grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against New Orleans Saints, that documented return supports the final verdict of Even Trade.

New Orleans acquired veteran safety Joe Scarpati and the 1971 tenth-round selection used on Rocky Pamplin for Norman Davis and Bo Burris. Scarpati immediately started 11 games for the Saints in 1970 and intercepted a pass, giving New Orleans useful short-term value from the veteran. Pamplin did not add meaningful NFL production, but Scarpati’s starting role gives the Saints the better realized return.

New Orleans acquired offensive tackle Sam Walton from the New York Jets on May 4, 1970 for a future draft choice. Contemporary Associated Press reporting confirms the Saints surrendered one draft choice, while the surviving transaction ledger does not identify its round or selection. Walton was waived before the regular season and never appeared in a Saints game.

Los Angeles Chargers received Joe Owens. The Chargers received Joe Owens and got an immediate 14-start 1970 season with strong pass-rushing production from him. San Diego got the stronger immediate season, while New Orleans later recovered Owens and gained additional service, leaving the overall outcome close. That outcome supports a B grade for Los Angeles Chargers.

The Raiders acquired Ted Davis from New Orleans, but Davis did not provide a meaningful regular-season return for the club. His final NFL action came with Miami in 1970 rather than with the Raiders. With no sustained contribution from the incoming player and New Orleans later receiving useful rookie production from its draft choice, the Raiders realized the weaker side of the exchange and merit a D grade.

Buffalo acquired center Frank Marchlewski from New Orleans for a 1971 fourth-round pick that became Carlos Bell at No. 82. Marchlewski immediately started all 13 games he played for the Bills in 1970, giving Buffalo a full season of dependable offensive-line value. Bell reached the Saints but appeared in only one NFL game. Turning a future fourth-rounder into an immediate starting center gives Buffalo the clear advantage.

New Orleans traded tight end Jim Hester to Chicago for defensive end Loyd Phillips in March 1970. Phillips never appeared in a Saints regular-season game and medically retired after the trade because of a chronic vascular condition.

New Orleans wanted veteran interior-line help and acquired center Frank Marchlewski from Los Angeles for a future draft choice. Transaction records identify the move on January 20, 1970; the exact Rams selection is not securely attributable, so the return stays described as a future draft choice. New Orleans gets the stronger grade because it acquired a usable veteran and then converted him into a fourth-round asset. Los Angeles recovered future capital, but the Saints extracted more identifiable football value from the player.

New Orleans acquired Mike Taylor and Marv Woodson from Pittsburgh in November 1969, with a future draft choice going to the Steelers. Woodson started five games for the Saints after the move, while Taylor appeared briefly. Historical draft summaries disagree about whether Pittsburgh's choice should be tied to the 1971 No. 106 slot, so the safest verdict gives New Orleans only a narrow edge.

Chicago acquired defensive back George Youngblood from New Orleans for a 1970 fifth-round selection. Youngblood started all 14 games for the Bears in 1969, intercepted three passes, and returned one for a touchdown, so Chicago received immediate defensive production. New Orleans used the acquired No. 106 pick on Glenn Cannon, but that selection did not create comparable long-term value. The short duration of Youngblood’s career keeps the deal roughly even.

New Orleans acquired Don Shy and Ken Kortas from Pittsburgh for running back Don McCall shortly before the 1969 season. Neither incoming player developed into a major long-term Saints piece, so the two-player quantity did not translate into much durable value. McCall, meanwhile, gave Pittsburgh identifiable rushing and return production during his season with the Steelers before later returning to New Orleans.

New Orleans Saints received Mike Morgan, while Washington Commanders received Dennis Hale. Mike Morgan joined New Orleans during the 1969 preseason, but the move did not produce enough durable value to make the Saints a clear winner. In hindsight, that direct return supports a D+ grade for New Orleans Saints. The grade reflects realized football value from this exchange rather than reputation alone.

New Orleans Saints received Jim Ninowski from Washington, giving up Randy Schultz; 1970 fifth round pick (#114-Manny Sistrunk). New Orleans received quarterback Jim Ninowski. The Saints added an experienced player, but the return did not outweigh Washington's combined player-and-pick package, leaving New Orleans at C+. That return supports a C+ grade for New Orleans Saints. The final verdict is Washington Redskins Win.

Chicago sent running back Andy Livingston to New Orleans in July 1969 and received the future second-round pick that became No. 28 in 1971. The Bears selected Jim Harrison, who played 38 games and made 29 starts for Chicago from 1971 through 1974. Harrison rushed for 1,099 yards as a Bear. His multi-season contribution gives Chicago a narrow edge over Livingston's strong but much shorter Saints run.

Atlanta received Jerry Jones, Roy Schmidt and Jim Ferguson in the 1969 exchange, sending Errol Linden and Don Talbert to New Orleans. The incoming group did not provide the same durable return that Talbert later supplied for the Saints. Atlanta still received three veterans in a legitimate multi-player swap, but the realized value supports a C+ grade rather than the stronger side of the deal.

Los Angeles acquired quarterback Karl Sweetan from New Orleans for the 1971 fourth-round pick later used on Don Morrison. Sweetan served as a reserve for two Rams seasons, appearing in 11 games and throwing only 26 regular-season passes. Morrison became a long-term Saints starting tackle, starting 92 games for New Orleans from 1971 through 1977. The Rams received modest backup value while surrendering the asset that produced a foundational lineman.

St. Louis acquired John Gilliam from New Orleans and immediately unlocked a major offensive season: 52 catches, 997 yards, and nine touchdowns in 1969. The Cardinals paid Dave Long, Dick Kasperek, Brady Keys, and the second-round pick that became Richard Neal. Gilliam was clearly the best individual performer in the deal, but surrendering three veterans plus a second-rounder made the acquisition expensive.

Baltimore sent running back Tony Lorick to New Orleans for the Saints' 1969 second-round pick. The choice became Ted Hendricks at No. 33, a future Hall of Fame linebacker who played 215 consecutive games, reached eight Pro Bowls and helped the Colts win Super Bowl V. Lorick's Saints career lasted two seasons and produced only limited offensive value, creating a massive imbalance.

Dallas acquired linebacker Jackie Burkett from New Orleans on August 28, 1968 in exchange for veteran tackle Jim Boeke. Burkett appeared in three games for the Cowboys in 1968 and 11 more in 1969. His Dallas tenure was not a major statistical chapter, but the Cowboys received two seasons of roster service from the player they acquired.

Los Angeles Rams received Kent Kramer from New Orleans Saints in the 1968-08-22 trade. Los Angeles acquired Kent Kramer, but the Saints' official history says he suffered a knee injury and missed the entire 1968 season before later being. New Orleans Saints's return was 1970 fifth round pick (#126-Steve Ramsey). New Orleans received the 1970 fifth-round pick used on quarterback Steve Ramsey. Those realized outcomes, rather than the labels on the assets alone, drive the hindsight grade.

New Orleans traded linebacker Dave Simmons to Dallas for a 1969 fourth-round pick, No. 102, later used on tackle Bob Hudspeth. Simmons played 13 games for the Cowboys in 1968 and intercepted a pass before being released the next year. Hudspeth did not establish an NFL career. The return was short-lived on both sides, but Dallas received actual regular-season contribution and therefore gets the narrow win.

New York reacquired quarterback Gary Wood from New Orleans on August 14, 1968 for the Giants' 1969 fifth-round draft choice. The Saints used that transferred selection at No. 117 overall on Kansas tackle Keith Christensen. Wood then appeared in all 14 games for New York in 1968 and 12 more in 1969 as Fran Tarkenton's backup, giving the Giants two seasons of reserve-quarterback value.

Detroit traded Karl Sweetan to New Orleans for Walter 'Flea' Roberts and a high 1969 draft choice that team and draft histories trace to third-round pick No. 59, Larry Walton. Sweetan played only five games for the Saints and threw nine interceptions against one touchdown. Walton developed into a long-term Detroit receiver, making the Lions the clear beneficiary of the exchange.

Cleveland converted veteran linebacker Johnny Brewer into a 1970 second-round pick, No. 36 overall, that became defensive end Joe “Turkey” Jones. Brewer still gave New Orleans 37 games and 31 starts from 1968 through 1970, so the Saints received real short-term value. Jones, however, developed into a 134-game NFL defender, giving Cleveland the stronger long-range return and the win.

New Orleans Saints received Monty Stickles from San Francisco in the 1968-07-05 trade, while San Francisco received George Rose. Stickles supplied modest 1968 receiving production for New Orleans. Rose did not create a post-trade regular-season return for San Francisco. Those limited realized outcomes support the existing C/C grades and Even Trade verdict.

New Orleans received veteran defensive end Dan Colchico for Jim Jordan in April 1968. Jordan never produced a regular-season appearance for San Francisco and was playing for the Alabama Hawks in the Continental Football League later that year. Colchico eventually returned from his long Achilles recovery to play nine games for the Saints in 1969. That modest contribution gives New Orleans the edge.

Minnesota received Tom Hall, also known as Tom Hall Francis, from New Orleans in exchange for Archie Sutton during the 1968 football year. Hall immediately gave the Vikings usable receiving production, starting 13 games and catching 19 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. The surviving record supports that Minnesota contribution clearly, while the downstream value of New Orleans' return is less complete.

Minnesota acquired quarterback Gary Cuozzo from New Orleans for the Vikings' first-round picks in 1968 and 1969. Those selections became Kevin Hardy at No. 7 and John Shinners at No. 17. Cuozzo provided Minnesota quarterback play but never became a long-term answer, while New Orleans controlled two consecutive premium draft assets.

Atlanta traded Ernie Wheelwright to New Orleans for Ray Ogden on October 3, 1967. Both teams received useful players, but Ogden produced the stronger immediate two-season return for Atlanta: 19 catches for 308 yards in 11 games after the trade, then 25 catches for 452 yards in 1968. Wheelwright contributed for the Saints through 1969, keeping New Orleans’ side respectable but slightly behind.

Atlanta Falcons received Charles Wood, while New Orleans Saints received cash. Available season records do not show Wood producing meaningful regular-season value for Atlanta, leaving the Saints' cash as the clearer return. The hindsight grades are D+ for Atlanta Falcons and C+ for New Orleans Saints, producing a New Orleans Saints Win verdict.

Dallas acquired Larry Stephens from New Orleans for the 1968 fourth-round pick used on Dan Sartin. Stephens remained with the Cowboys during their 1967 championship-game season and gave Dallas the only meaningful team-specific return from the transaction. New Orleans received a draft choice, but Sartin never appeared in a regular-season game for the Saints.

San Francisco traded tackle Dave McCormick to New Orleans on September 5, 1967 for the Saints' 1968 sixth-round choice. The pick became No. 141 overall, where the 49ers selected Tennessee State wide receiver Leo Johnson. Johnson spent 1968 on the taxi squad, then appeared in 21 regular-season games for San Francisco across 1969-70, catching four passes for 42 yards. The return was modest, but it produced two seasons of roster service.

New Orleans acquired guard Eli Strand from Pittsburgh for cash on July 21, 1967. Strand played all 14 games for the expansion Saints in 1967 and started eight, providing immediate value after leaving Pittsburgh. In hindsight, the grades are B for New Orleans Saints and C for Pittsburgh Steelers, producing a New Orleans Saints Win verdict. The modest scoring reflects the limited scale of the transaction.

Chicago Bears received Don Croftcheck from New Orleans Saints for Doug Atkins and Herman Lee. Croftcheck played only nine games with two starts for Chicago. Across the complete player and draft outcomes, the exchange supports the New Orleans Saints Win verdict while still crediting the other club for the useful value it realized.

New Orleans acquired veteran guard Herschel Turner from the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967 for an undisclosed future draft choice. The Saints' own 1967 roster book confirms the player-for-pick structure. Turner had played 27 games for St. Louis in 1964-65, but New Orleans released him on September 21, 1967 before he appeared in a Saints regular-season game.

Detroit acquired veteran offensive tackle Charlie Bradshaw from New Orleans for running back Bruce McLenna. Bradshaw became a two-year starter for the Lions and gave Detroit a clear on-field return. McLenna was recovering from knee surgery when the Saints acquired him and never appeared in a New Orleans regular-season game, creating a wide gap in realized value between the two sides.

New Orleans sent Bill Curry, the No. 1 overall pick, a 1967 third-round pick and a 1969 seventh-rounder to Baltimore for quarterback Gary Cuozzo, Buford Allison and a 1967 seventeenth-round pick. Baltimore used No. 1 on Bubba Smith and also gained Curry, both future All-Pro-level starters on Super Bowl teams. Cuozzo lasted one Saints season before being traded again.