Kansas City sent its 1972 fourth-round pick, No. 101, to New…
Kansas City sent its 1972 fourth-round pick, No. 101, to New Orleans for Charles “Donnie” Williams. The Chiefs waived Williams later that August, while the Saints used the pick on defensive end Mike Coleman, who was also released without becoming a regular-season contributor. The older row duplicated Williams as two players; after correcting that structure, the realized returns are essentially equal and support an even verdict.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- player Charles "Donnie" Williams
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1972 fourth round pick (#101-Mike Coleman)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Kansas City’s historical draft records state that one of its 1972 fourth-round choices went to New Orleans in consideration for Charles Williams. Saints draft history identifies that selection as No. 101, defensive end Mike Coleman. Transaction records also refer to Williams as Charlie or Donnie Williams, but those are aliases for the same player rather than separate assets.
What Kansas City Received
The Chiefs were trying to turn draft capital into immediate roster help. Williams reached Kansas City in August, but the experiment ended quickly: transaction records show the club waiving him on August 29. He therefore did not supply the regular-season contribution that would justify treating Kansas City as the clear winner of the exchange.
What New Orleans Received
New Orleans converted Williams into a fourth-round draft choice and selected Coleman. That gave the Saints a legitimate opportunity to create future value, but Coleman also failed to produce a regular-season NFL career for New Orleans. His player record shows the Saints releasing him, followed by another brief opportunity with Washington. The pick had value when acquired, yet the actual conversion did not deliver lasting production.
Final Verdict
The corrected transaction leaves both sides with failed realized returns. Kansas City paid a fourth-rounder for a player it waived within weeks, while New Orleans used that pick on a player who never became an NFL regular-season contributor. Neither outcome deserves a directional win. Removing the duplicate Williams asset and grading both clubs C produces the cleanest historical result: Even Trade.