Denver moved up two spots in the third round of the 1988…
Denver moved up two spots in the third round of the 1988 draft, sending New Orleans picks No. 81 and No. 276 for No. 79. The Broncos used the higher choice on defensive back Kevin Guidry, who appeared in 14 games for Denver as a rookie. Neither Saints selection became an NFL contributor, giving Denver a small but real edge in an otherwise low-impact exchange.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 1988 third round pick (#79-Kevin Guidry)
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1988 third round pick (#81-Tony Stephens (b))
- pick 1988 tenth round pick (#276-Vincent Fizer)
Trade Analysis
Why Denver Moved Up
Denver wanted the No. 79 selection and paid New Orleans a modest price to move two slots in the third round: No. 81 plus a tenth-round choice, No. 276. The Broncos used No. 79 on LSU defensive back Kevin Guidry. This was a classic small draft-day move in which the acquiring team valued a specific player more than the extra late pick it surrendered.
What New Orleans Received
The Saints used No. 81 on Clemson defensive lineman Tony Stephens and No. 276 on Southern linebacker Vincent Fizer. New Orleans' own draft history lists both players in those slots, confirming the two-player return. The problem for the Saints is that neither selection developed into regular-season NFL production, so the extra quantity did not translate into meaningful roster value.
How the Value Developed
Guidry was not a long-term answer for Denver, but he did appear in 14 games for the Broncos in 1988 and gave the club immediate defensive-back depth. His NFL career was brief, which keeps this from becoming a strong Denver victory. Still, one season of usable snaps is more concrete value than the Saints realized from either of their two selections.
Final Verdict
This is a narrow Denver win rather than a major draft steal. The Broncos sacrificed only a two-slot move-down and a tenth-round pick, then received at least one season from Guidry. New Orleans gained two chances but did not turn either into NFL production. A C+ for Denver and C- for New Orleans reflects the limited stakes while recognizing the small advantage Denver actually realized.