On 1991-04-21, Los Angeles Raiders and New England Patriots…
On 1991-04-21, Los Angeles Raiders and New England Patriots completed a deal whose long-term value became clearer after the players and draft choices developed. Los Angeles eventually did get Ismail into its lineup after his CFL stint. The 1992 fourth-rounder, No. The result is New England Patriots Win, with Los Angeles Raiders graded B- and New England Patriots graded A+.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 1991 fourth round pick (#100-Raghib Ismail / Rocket Ismail)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1991 fifth round pick (#124-Ben Coates)
- pick 1992 fourth round pick (#100-Michael Bankston)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
The Raiders wanted the NFL rights to Notre Dame star Raghib "Rocket" Ismail after he signed with Toronto of the CFL on the eve of the 1991 draft. New England controlled pick No. 100 after an earlier trade with Pittsburgh and accepted a 1991 fifth-rounder plus a 1992 fourth-rounder. The gamble gave Los Angeles a path to a rare talent while New England chose certainty and multiple assets.
What Los Angeles Raiders and New England Patriots Received
Los Angeles eventually did get Ismail into its lineup after his CFL stint. He played three seasons for the Raiders from 1993 through 1995 and became a regular starter in 1995, so the pick was not wasted. New England used No. 124 on tight end Ben Coates, who became a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, and retained the future fourth-round pick as additional trade capital.
How the Value Developed
The 1992 fourth-rounder, No. 100, did not simply become Michael Bankston for New England. The Patriots packaged it with pick No. 46 to Phoenix for No. 35, then selected defensive back Rod Smith. That downstream use matters because New England controlled the asset and converted it itself. Coates alone was the best player value generated by the original exchange, and the second pick added another productive branch.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. The Raiders deserve a respectable grade because Ismail ultimately contributed three NFL seasons after the unusual delay created by his CFL contract. The Patriots still won decisively: Coates became one of the defining tight ends of the 1990s, and the future fourth-rounder helped New England move up for another player. New England receives an A+ and Los Angeles a B-.