New Orleans Saints–Washington Commanders Trade History

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.