New Orleans acquired Chris McCain from Miami for a…
New Orleans acquired Chris McCain from Miami for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick that did not convey. McCain appeared in only two games for the Saints, recording one tackle and no sacks before New Orleans waived him in November. Miami therefore received no draft asset, while the Saints received only brief depth service. New Orleans still holds the narrow hindsight edge because two regular-season appearances are more than the Dolphins realized, but the original B-range framing is too generous.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick conditional 2017 seventh-round pick (not conveyed)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Chris McCain
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 30, 2016, Miami sent edge defender Chris McCain to New Orleans for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick. Pro Football Reference’s trade records for both clubs agree that the selection did not convey. That closes the pick side of the transaction: Miami ultimately received no draft asset, while New Orleans received the player.
Miami Dolphins Return
New Orleans acquired Chris McCain from Miami for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick that did not convey. McCain appeared in only two games for the Saints, recording one tackle and no sacks before New Orleans waived him in November. Miami therefore received no draft asset, while the Saints received only brief depth service. New Orleans still holds the narrow hindsight edge because two regular-season appearances are more than the Dolphins realized, but the original B-range framing is too generous.
New Orleans Saints Return
Miami traded Chris McCain to New Orleans for a conditional seventh-round choice, but the condition failed and no 2017 pick conveyed to the Dolphins. McCain’s Saints tenure was also tiny: two games, one tackle, no sacks, then a November waiver. The transaction produced almost no value on either side. New Orleans gets a slight edge because it received actual regular-season service, but neither team should be graded as if this created a meaningful roster asset.
Value in Hindsight
The comparison is two games and one tackle against a conditional pick that never conveyed. New Orleans technically received the only realized football value, but the gap is tiny. A B-range grade would overstate a transaction that barely affected either roster.
Final Verdict
New Orleans wins narrowly, C+ to C. The Saints received brief regular-season depth from McCain; Miami received no pick. The result is clear without pretending that either side extracted meaningful long-term value.