New Orleans received Washington's 1983 fourth-round pick…
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 Saints Received
- pick 1983 fourth round pick (#112-Jimmy Payne)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1982 eighth round pick (#223-Ralph Warthen)
- pick 1982 ninth round pick (#226-Ken Coffey)
- pick 1982 tenth round pick (#254-Harold Smith)
- pick 1982 eleventh round pick (#281-Dan Miller (b))
- pick 1982 twelfth round pick (#309-Don Laster)
Trade Analysis
Why Washington Made the Move
Washington used one future fourth-round asset to buy five selections at the back of the 1982 draft. The package became Ralph Warthen, Ken Coffey, Harold Smith, Dan Miller and Don Laster. The quantity gave Washington several inexpensive chances to find depth without surrendering a premium current-year pick.
What Washington Received
The strongest direct result was safety Ken Coffey, who played 41 games with 24 starts for Washington. Don Laster also reached the roster and contributed during the early Joe Gibbs era. The other late picks did not become long-term core players, but two usable NFL defenders from a five-pick late-round bundle represented real value.
How New Orleans Extended the Asset
The Saints did not simply use Washington's 1983 fourth-round pick. They traded that No. 112 selection to Buffalo for the Bills' 1984 third-rounder. New Orleans then used that later choice on safety Terry Hoage. Hoage played 30 games for the Saints and started 13 in 1985, when he intercepted four passes and returned one for a touchdown.
Why This Finishes Even
Washington obtained more immediate roster shots and found multiple contributors, while New Orleans preserved and upgraded its future draft capital until it became a productive starting safety. Neither side produced a franchise-changing star, but both created more than replacement-level value from the exchange.
Final Verdict
Both teams earn a B. Washington's volume turned into useful defensive depth, especially Coffey, while New Orleans' patient handling of the future pick ultimately produced Hoage's strong 1985 season. The two paths are different, but the realized team-specific value is close enough for an Even Trade verdict.