Green Bay acquired quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and New…
Green Bay acquired quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan and New Orleans' 2005 second-round pick, which became safety Nick Collins at No. 51, for cornerback Mike McKenzie and a conditional 2006 sixth-round choice that became Josh Lay. Collins developed into a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, giving Green Bay the best long-term asset in an otherwise productive exchange.
Green Bay Packers Received
- player J.T. O'Sullivan
- pick 2005 2nd round pick (51st overall, Nick Collins )
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Mike McKenzie
- pick conditional 2006 6th round pick (174th overall, Josh Lay)
Trade Analysis
The Deal
Green Bay ended a difficult contract standoff with Mike McKenzie by sending the veteran corner to New Orleans. The return was J.T. O'Sullivan and the Saints' 2005 second-round selection. Historical draft records also resolve the future choice sent with McKenzie as a conditional 2006 sixth-rounder, later No. 174 and cornerback Josh Lay.
Green Bay's Return
The quarterback portion was secondary. The second-round pick became Nick Collins at No. 51 in 2005, and Collins changed the trade's scale. He grew into one of the league's better safeties, earned three straight Pro Bowl selections, and produced one of the signature plays in Packers history with his interception-return touchdown in Super Bowl XLV. His career was shortened by a neck injury, but his peak value was substantial.
New Orleans' Return
McKenzie was far from a throw-in. New Orleans immediately installed him as a starting corner, and he started 62 of 63 games during his first Saints stint. The club credited him with 12 interceptions and 58 passes defensed across five seasons. That is legitimate veteran value for a team that wanted an established cover man rather than waiting for a draft choice to develop. Lay, however, never produced comparable NFL value from the conditional sixth-round selection.
Value Over Time
This is a good example of both sides receiving something they wanted while one side still winning clearly in hindsight. New Orleans got years of starting cornerback play, so a harsh failing grade undersells the Saints' return. Green Bay, however, turned the central draft asset into an eventual Packers Hall of Famer and Super Bowl difference-maker.
Final Verdict
Green Bay wins with an A+ because Collins became the premier asset and an enduring franchise piece. New Orleans still earns a B for obtaining five seasons of meaningful McKenzie production.
Collins became the exchange's premier long-term asset.