The 1985 George Rogers Trade: Washington Bought a Proven Runner and Got a Super Bowl Contributor
Washington sent New Orleans the 24th pick for George Rogers plus three later selections. Rogers delivered two 1,000-yard seasons and finished his career as a champion.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1985 first round pick (#24-Alvin Toles)
Washington Commanders Received
- player George Rogers (Washington)
- pick 1985 fifth round pick (#122-Raphel Cherry)
- pick 1985 tenth round pick (#263-Terry Orr)
- pick 1985 eleventh round pick (#290-Raleigh McKenzie)
Trade Summary
Washington acquired George Rogers and multiple picks from New Orleans for a 1985 first-round pick, adding a proven power back and useful draft depth to a contender. Rogers gave Washington major rushing value and later contributed to a Super Bowl-winning roster. The Saints received a real first-round return, so their side was not empty, but Washington got the better realized football value.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Washington acquired running back George Rogers from New Orleans before the 1985 draft. The Saints received Washington's first-round pick, No. 24 overall, while Washington also received New Orleans' fifth-, 10th- and 11th-round selections. The Saints used the first-rounder on linebacker Alvin Toles.
Why Washington Wanted Rogers
Rogers was a former No. 1 overall pick who had already proved he could carry an NFL rushing attack. Washington was transitioning away from the John Riggins era and wanted a back capable of handling a major workload in Joe Gibbs' offense. Rather than use a late first-round pick on an uncertain rookie, the team chose a proven player still in his twenties.
The immediate return justified the idea. Rogers produced consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 1985 and 1986. His workload gave Washington a dependable power-running presence, and he remained with the club through the 1987 championship season, finishing his NFL career after Washington won Super Bowl XXII.
What New Orleans Received
The Saints received the premium single asset in the deal: a first-round pick. That was a reasonable return for a veteran running back, particularly for a team trying to reshape its roster. Toles became an NFL starter and provided useful defensive snaps, so New Orleans did not simply waste the selection.
The comparison still favors Washington because the late-round picks softened the cost and Rogers delivered exactly the kind of immediate production the contender wanted. Washington was buying certainty and short-term contention value, not a decade-long rebuild piece.
How the Era Matters
Running back value in the mid-1980s was different from today's league. High-volume backs were central offensive pieces, and Rogers' ability to absorb carries had real roster value. Judging the trade only through a modern positional-value lens would miss why Washington made it.
Final Verdict
Washington wins, though New Orleans' return was respectable. The Saints obtained a legitimate first-round asset, but Washington acquired a proven runner, received two 1,000-yard seasons and kept Rogers through a championship year while also receiving three additional draft choices.