Seattle paid New England a massive draft package to move to…
Seattle paid New England a massive draft package to move to No. 3 in 1990, sending picks that became Chris Singleton, Ray Agnew and Jimmie Jones plus a 1991 fourth-rounder, while receiving No. 3 and No. 29. The Seahawks used those selections on Cortez Kennedy and Terry Wooden. Kennedy became a Hall of Famer, making Seattle the decisive long-term winner.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1990 first round pick (#8-Chris Singleton)
- pick 1990 first round pick (#10-Ray Agnew)
- pick 1990 third round pick (#64-Jimmie Jones)
- pick 1991 fourth round pick (#101-David Rocker)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1990 first round pick (#3-Cortez Kennedy)
- pick 1990 second round pick (#29-Terry Wooden)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Seattle wanted access to an elite prospect near the top of the 1990 draft and paid New England accordingly. The Seahawks moved first-round picks No. 8 and No. 10, third-round pick No. 64, and a 1991 fourth-rounder for pick No. 3 and second-round pick No. 29. It was a classic quantity-for-premium-position exchange with unusually high stakes.
What Seattle and New England Received
Seattle selected defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy third overall and linebacker Terry Wooden at No. 29. New England's haul became linebacker Chris Singleton at No. 8, defensive lineman Ray Agnew at No. 10, defensive tackle Jimmie Jones at No. 64, and David Rocker with the future fourth-round choice. The complete package matters because the Patriots received two first-round players, not one.
How the Value Developed
Kennedy changed the comparison by becoming one of the defining defensive players in Seahawks history. He reached eight Pro Bowls, earned three first-team All-Pro selections, won Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, and ultimately entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wooden also supplied multiple seasons of useful linebacker play. New England's return produced NFL players, but none approached Kennedy's peak, longevity, or importance to Seattle.
Final Verdict
New England accumulated four meaningful draft assets and therefore had a rational reason to trade down. The problem is that Seattle converted the premium pick into a Hall of Fame cornerstone. When one side lands a player of Kennedy's stature and also receives a useful second-rounder, the volume on the other side has to be extraordinary to keep pace. It was not. Seattle earns an A, New England a D, and the Seattle Seahawks Win verdict is decisive.