Cincinnati sent veteran tight end Don Bass to New Orleans in…
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.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 1983 sixth round pick (#152-Kiki DeAyala)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Don Bass
Trade Analysis
Why New Orleans Traded for Bass
Don Bass had been a productive Cincinnati tight end, including 58 catches for 724 yards in 1979 and 32 catches with six touchdowns in 1980. New Orleans acquired him in August 1982 for a future sixth-round choice, hoping an experienced receiver could strengthen the position at a modest draft cost.
What the Saints Received
The move did not revive Bass's career. He appeared in only three regular-season games for New Orleans in 1982 and did not record a reception. His NFL career ended after that season. The Saints therefore paid a draft pick for almost no regular-season offensive return.
How Cincinnati Used the Pick
The Bengals retained the selection until the 1983 draft and used No. 152 on Texas linebacker Kiki DeAyala. He did not immediately become an NFL regular, but he eventually appeared in 28 games for Cincinnati during the 1986 and 1987 seasons and made two starts. That is limited value, yet it is still tangible roster production.
Why Cincinnati Wins
This was a small trade, so the grades should remain measured. DeAyala never became a core starter, but Cincinnati converted an aging player into a draft asset that produced multiple seasons of depth. New Orleans received only three games from Bass.
Final Verdict
Cincinnati earns a B and New Orleans a D+. The Bengals did not land a star, but they extracted more usable value from a player near the end of his career. Bass's extremely short Saints tenure leaves New Orleans with little to show for the selection.