Denver traded Kelvin Clark to New Orleans and received the…
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.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1984 fourth round pick (#96-Rickey Bolden)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Kelvin Clark
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1982-08-30, Denver Broncos received 1984 fourth round pick (#96-Rickey Bolden), while New Orleans Saints received Kelvin Clark. The exchange is supported by the historical transaction and draft records carried into this review, allowing the two returns to be judged by the value each club actually controlled after the deal.
Denver Broncos Return
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. The grade reflects the practical value of that return rather than the reputation or theoretical value of the asset on the day of the trade.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans acquired Kelvin Clark and surrendered the future fourth-round selection that Denver later used in another trade. The Saints received the immediate player, but the outgoing pick carried more lasting value and flexibility in Denver's hands. That imbalance leaves New Orleans at D+, reflecting a return that did not match what the fourth-round asset ultimately allowed Denver to do. The same standard applies on this side: tangible playing value and clearly retained draft capital matter more than an eventual asset's label alone.
Value in Hindsight
The downstream use of the pick is central to the value comparison. Denver did not simply hold a future fourth-rounder; it later deployed that asset to acquire Dave Logan from Cleveland. New Orleans received Kelvin Clark, but the broader utility of the selection created a more substantial return for the Broncos. That supports the largest grade gap in this Wave 198 group.
Final Verdict
The final call is Denver Broncos Win. Denver Broncos earns B-, and New Orleans Saints earns D+. Those grades reflect the supported package and the relative football value each side realized, while keeping the scale of the transaction in proper context.