Denver sent the 195th pick in the 2023 draft to New Orleans…
Denver sent the 195th pick in the 2023 draft to New Orleans for tight end Adam Trautman and pick No. 257. The Saints used No. 195 on receiver A.T. Perry, while Denver selected center Alex Forsyth at 257. Trautman became a regular part of Denver's offense and Forsyth added line depth. Perry flashed receiving ability but had a shorter Saints tenure, giving Denver the broader practical return.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Adam Trautman
- pick 2023 7th round pick (257th overall, Alex Forsyth )
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2023 6th round pick (195th overall, A.T. Perry )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
During the 2023 draft, Denver sent the 195th overall selection to New Orleans for tight end Adam Trautman and the 257th pick. The Saints used No. 195 on wide receiver A.T. Perry. Denver used the final acquired selection on center Alex Forsyth. The deal reunited Trautman with Sean Payton and gave New Orleans a chance to move up sixty-two spots for a receiver, making the exchange a useful comparison of known veteran value against draft upside.
Denver Broncos Return
Trautman immediately filled a meaningful role in Denver's tight-end rotation and brought familiarity with Payton's offense. Forsyth added a developmental offensive lineman who could compete for interior depth. Neither asset alone carried premium value, but Denver received two usable pieces from one sixth-round selection. The veteran's immediate snaps reduced the risk of the transaction, while the seventh-round pick preserved a second avenue for longer-term return.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans consolidated the package into Perry, a tall receiver with developmental upside. Perry showed flashes as a rookie and created some big-play value, giving the Saints a credible football return for a player who was no longer central to their plans. His tenure, however, did not become long enough or productive enough to clearly surpass the combination Denver received. The Saints' bet made sense but required Perry to become the best asset by a meaningful margin.
Value in Hindsight
This was a sensible trade for both roster timelines. New Orleans preferred one higher draft swing, while Denver preferred a known player plus a late pick. The Broncos' side aged better because Trautman supplied immediate role value and Forsyth gave them another roster option. Perry's talent kept the Saints competitive in the comparison, but the cumulative contribution from two Denver assets creates a modest edge rather than an even result.
Final Verdict
Denver earns a B- and New Orleans a C. The Broncos received a functional veteran and retained a draft choice, while the Saints landed a receiver with upside but did not generate enough sustained value to overtake the two-asset return. It is a modest Denver win rooted in useful roster depth, not a major failure by New Orleans.