Seattle sent veteran tackle Ron Mattes to the Jets on January…
Seattle sent veteran tackle Ron Mattes to the Jets on January 31, 1991 for a 1992 12th-round pick, later No. 320 overall and defensive end John MacNeill. Seattle's own all-time trade page confirms the exact exchange. The Jets received the established NFL player, while the final-round draft return did not develop into comparable value for Seattle, giving New York the stronger side.
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1992 12th round pick (320th overall, John MacNeill)
New York Jets Received
- player Ron Mattes
Trade Analysis
The Deal
Seattle's official all-time trade page records a straightforward January 31, 1991 exchange: tackle Ron Mattes went to the New York Jets for a 1992 12th-round draft choice. That pick ultimately landed at No. 320 overall, where Seattle selected defensive end John MacNeill.
New York's Logic
The Jets were paying the lowest available tier of draft capital for an experienced offensive lineman. A 12th-round choice carried limited opportunity cost, especially for a team seeking veteran depth and competition. Even without a star-level outcome, acquiring a player with NFL experience for that price is a sensible use of the asset.
Seattle's Return
The Seahawks chose to move Mattes and defer the return into the following draft. The 1992 selection was nearly the final pick of the entire draft, which sharply limited the expected hit rate. MacNeill did not emerge as a substantial Seattle contributor, so the theoretical benefit of adding a young player never became meaningful on-field production.
Value Over Time
This is not the kind of transaction that dramatically changes either franchise. Its value comes from efficiency. New York exchanged a very late future pick for a veteran lineman, while Seattle received a lottery-ticket selection that did not produce a comparable payoff. The difference is modest but clear.
Final Verdict
The Jets earn a B because they obtained the more useful asset at a minimal draft cost. Seattle receives a C: getting a pick for a veteran was reasonable, but the No. 320 selection did not create enough value to match the player sent away.
The Jets paid the lowest tier of draft capital then available for an established offensive tackle. Seattle's 12th-round selection became John MacNeill without creating meaningful long-term value, while New York at least obtained immediate veteran line depth, making the practical return stronger for the Jets.