Arizona sent the 65th pick in the 1998 draft to the Jets for…
Arizona sent the 65th pick in the 1998 draft to the Jets for running back Adrian Murrell and the 209th pick. Murrell immediately became Arizona’s starting back, started 14 games in 1998 and scored 10 total touchdowns during the Cardinals’ playoff season. New York later moved the 65th pick for two lower selections. The Jets preserved draft flexibility, but Arizona received the most meaningful immediate football value.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Adrian Murrell
- pick 1998 7th round pick (209th overall, Jomo Cousins)
New York Jets Received
- pick 1998 3rd round pick (65th overall; subsequently traded)
Trade Analysis
Why Arizona Wanted a Proven Runner
The Cardinals were looking for an experienced back and acquired Adrian Murrell from the Jets before the 1998 draft. Arizona sent the 65th overall selection to New York and also received a seventh-round pick at No. 209. Murrell had already produced two heavy-volume seasons for the Jets, so Arizona was buying a known starter rather than using a third-round pick on an uncertain rookie.
What Murrell Added in Arizona
Murrell started 14 games in 1998 and appeared in 15, helping the Cardinals reach the playoffs and win a wild-card game. He scored eight rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns that season. His Arizona tenure lasted two years, and he provided the dependable backfield workload the club sought. That is meaningful value from a mid-round trade even if Murrell was not a long-term franchise player.
How the Jets Used No. 65
New York did not keep the acquired third-round pick. The Jets traded No. 65 to St. Louis for No. 67 and No. 195, then selected Scott Frost and Lawrence Hart. Neither became a significant long-term contributor for New York. The trade therefore did not produce a clear player outcome that matched Murrell’s immediate starting role, though the Jets did preserve flexibility by moving a veteran and maintaining multiple draft selections.
Final Verdict
Arizona Cardinals Win. Arizona earns a B+ because Murrell became a starting back on a playoff team and the club also received a seventh-round choice. New York gets a C- because the draft capital was reasonable in theory but did not turn into comparable production. The Cardinals received the clearest football value from the deal.