Baltimore acquired the No. 2 pick in the 1973 draft from New…
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.
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 1973 first round pick (#2-Bert Jones (Hays))
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Billy Newsome
- pick 1973 fourth round pick (#86-Jim Merlo)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Baltimore acquired the second overall pick in the 1973 draft from New Orleans in exchange for defensive lineman Billy Newsome and the fourth-round selection at No. 86, later used on Jim Merlo. The Colts used the premium choice on LSU quarterback Bert Jones, putting a potential franchise passer at the center of their rebuild.
Why Bert Jones Made the Deal Historic
Jones became far more than a competent starter. His 1976 season brought Associated Press MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors after he threw for 3,104 yards and 24 touchdowns. With Jones directing the offense, Baltimore won three straight AFC East titles from 1975 through 1977 and reestablished itself as a contender.
What New Orleans Received
Newsome gave the Saints an experienced defensive lineman, while Merlo added a younger defensive piece through the fourth-round choice. Those assets had real NFL value, so the package was not empty. The problem is scale: neither player offered the positional importance, peak performance, or franchise impact that Jones delivered in Baltimore.
Why Quarterback Value Widens the Gap
A team rarely gets access to an MVP-caliber quarterback without paying a premium. Baltimore surrendered a veteran and a fourth-rounder rather than a collection of top picks. Once Jones reached his peak, the value of controlling that quarterback position dwarfed the return New Orleans received, even accounting for Newsome's usefulness.
Final Verdict
The Colts earn an A+ and a decisive win. They turned a manageable package into a league MVP who became the centerpiece of multiple division champions. New Orleans receives a D because the Saints did acquire usable players, but the return was far too small for a pick that produced one of the best quarterbacks of the 1970s.