New Orleans sent No. 152 and a 2017 fifth-rounder to…
New Orleans sent No. 152 and a 2017 fifth-rounder to Washington for No. 120 and selected David Onyemata. He became a seven-season Saints defensive-line fixture with more than 100 appearances. Washington used the incoming picks on Matthew Ioannidis and Jeremy Sprinkle; Ioannidis developed into a productive interior pass rusher and Sprinkle supplied several years of tight-end depth. Both teams turned modest capital into real contributors.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2016 4th round pick (120th overall, David Onyemata)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 2016 5th round pick (152nd overall, Matthew Ioannidis)
- pick 2017 5th round pick (154th overall, Jeremy Sprinkle)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
New Orleans traded fifth-round pick No. 152 and a 2017 fifth-round choice to Washington for fourth-round pick No. 120 in the 2016 draft. The Saints selected Canadian defensive lineman David Onyemata. Washington used No. 152 on Matthew Ioannidis and later used the 2017 selection, No. 154, on tight end Jeremy Sprinkle.
Why Both Teams Benefited
The Saints found a long-term defensive-line starter at a reasonable price. Onyemata spent seven seasons in New Orleans, appeared in more than 100 regular-season games for the club and became a steady interior pass rusher. Moving up was justified because the targeted player developed into a core contributor. Washington's decision to move down also worked: Ioannidis became a disruptive rotational player and starter who produced 24.5 sacks during his Washington tenure, while Sprinkle added several seasons of blocking and reserve tight-end work.
How the Return Aged
Neither side needs to borrow value from a complicated trade tree to make its case. New Orleans received the best single player in terms of longevity with the acquiring club, while Washington turned one selection into two players who both made the roster and contributed. Ioannidis' pass-rush production gives Washington's side real weight, and Onyemata's durability keeps the Saints from falling behind. The original difference in draft position was modest enough that both outcomes look efficient.
Final Verdict
New Orleans and Washington each earn a B+. The Saints paid extra to secure a player who became a seven-year fixture, and Washington multiplied its chances into two useful contributors. Neither return clearly outweighs the other. Even Trade.