Cincinnati traded Corey Dillon to New England for the 56th…
Cincinnati traded Corey Dillon to New England for the 56th pick and selected safety Madieu Williams. Williams became an immediate starter, recorded three interceptions as a rookie and spent four productive seasons with the Bengals. The return was legitimate, especially after Dillon's relationship with Cincinnati had deteriorated, but the player Cincinnati surrendered immediately became the centerpiece of a Super Bowl champion's rushing attack.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 2004 2nd round pick (56th overall, Madieu Williams )
New England Patriots Received
- player Corey Dillon
Trade Analysis
Corey Dillon's relationship with Cincinnati had run its course by the spring of 2004. The Bengals were transitioning under Marvin Lewis, Rudi Johnson had emerged at running back, and Dillon wanted a fresh start. Receiving a second-round pick for a veteran whose role and relationship with the organization had both declined was a respectable piece of asset management. Cincinnati used No. 56 on Madieu Williams, who started immediately and became a productive safety. Williams gave the Bengals real value. As a rookie he played all 16 games, recorded 103 tackles by contemporary totals, intercepted three passes and returned one for a touchdown. Injuries interrupted his second season, but he returned to start throughout 2006 and remained with Cincinnati for four years. He was good enough to earn a significant free-agent contract from Minnesota after leaving. That makes Cincinnati's side much stronger than a simple salary dump. New England still won the trade because Dillon delivered exactly what a championship contender needed. In 2004 he rushed for 1,635 yards and 12 touchdowns, setting a Patriots single-season rushing record. He then ran for 292 yards across three playoff games and scored in Super Bowl XXXIX as New England secured its third championship in four seasons. Dillon stayed for two more years and finished his Patriots tenure with more than 3,100 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns. The contrast is between solid rebuilding value and extraordinary immediate championship value. Cincinnati obtained a quality young starter at a position of need, so the Bengals deserve a good grade rather than being treated as fleeced. New England paid only a second-round pick for a veteran who produced a franchise-record season and helped complete a title run. That is the kind of win-now transaction contenders hope to make.