Kansas City acquired linebacker Jack Del Rio from New Orleans…
Kansas City acquired linebacker Jack Del Rio from New Orleans on August 17, 1987 for a 1988 fifth-round pick that became No. 112, Greg Scales. Del Rio immediately played 10 games with seven starts for the Chiefs and returned for 15 games with 10 starts in 1988. That two-year defensive role gave Kansas City more direct value than the Saints received from Scales.
Kansas City Chiefs Received
- player Jack Del Rio
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1988 fifth round pick (#112-Greg Scales)
Trade Analysis
Why Kansas City Made the Move
Kansas City added Jack Del Rio during the 1987 preseason for a future fifth-round pick. Del Rio already had NFL starting experience and could step directly into the Chiefs' linebacker rotation, so the trade exchanged a mid-round future asset for immediate defensive help rather than a developmental project.
What Kansas City Received
Del Rio played 10 games for Kansas City in 1987 and started seven of them. He returned in 1988 for 15 games and 10 starts, giving the Chiefs two seasons of real defensive usage before his career continued elsewhere. The return was not a franchise-changing acquisition, but it was substantial enough to justify the fifth-round cost.
What New Orleans Received
The Saints used the 1988 fifth-round choice, No. 112 overall, on tight end Greg Scales. Scales reached the NFL and played 44 career games, recording 21 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns. That is legitimate late-round value, yet his role was smaller than the starting snaps Kansas City received from Del Rio.
How the Value Settled
Both sides converted the transaction into an NFL contributor, which keeps the margin modest. New Orleans did not waste the pick, and Kansas City did not acquire a long-term cornerstone. The difference is that Del Rio delivered more immediate and more regular on-field responsibility for the team that traded for him.
Final Verdict
Kansas City earns a B and New Orleans a C+. The Chiefs purchased two useful linebacker seasons at a reasonable price, while the Saints received a fifth-round player who contributed but never matched Del Rio's role. That separation is enough for a Kansas City Chiefs Win without making the trade lopsided.