St. Louis traded wide receiver Eddie Kennison to New Orleans…
St. Louis traded wide receiver Eddie Kennison to New Orleans for the 41st pick in the 1999 draft and used it on cornerback Dre’ Bly. Bly played 167 NFL games, intercepted 43 passes, made two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl as a rookie. Kennison remained a productive NFL receiver, but his Saints stay was brief, giving the Rams the stronger long-term return.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 1999 2nd round pick (41st overall, Dre' Bly)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Eddie Kennison
Trade Analysis
Why the Rams Moved Kennison
St. Louis dealt Eddie Kennison before the 1999 draft and received the 41st overall selection. Kennison was still young and had first-round pedigree, but the Rams were reshaping an offense that would soon explode with Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Turning a veteran receiver into an early second-round pick gave St. Louis a chance to add a young player on defense without sacrificing its own premium selections.
What New Orleans Received
Kennison was a legitimate NFL receiver, and his career totals make that clear. He eventually played 179 games, caught 548 passes and accumulated 8,345 receiving yards. The problem for New Orleans is that most of that production came elsewhere. The Saints did not receive a long-term cornerstone from the trade, and Kennison was moved again the following year. His career quality keeps the Saints from receiving a failing grade, but his local impact was limited.
How Dre’ Bly Changed the Value
The Rams used No. 41 on Dre’ Bly, who immediately joined a championship team and became a long-term NFL starter. Bly played 167 games, intercepted 43 passes and made two Pro Bowls. He was not merely a depth piece obtained with an extra pick; he became an accomplished defensive back with a career far more valuable than the short period of service New Orleans received from Kennison.
Final Verdict
St. Louis Rams Win. The Rams earn an A- because they turned Kennison into a high-quality cornerback with 167 games, 43 interceptions and two Pro Bowls. New Orleans gets a C+ because Kennison was a real NFL player but did not remain long enough to deliver comparable value for the Saints. St. Louis converted a movable veteran into a much stronger long-term asset.