Minnesota sent New England a 1999 third-round pick for…
Minnesota sent New England a 1999 third-round pick for cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock before the 1998 season. Hitchcock then started all 16 games for the 15-1 Vikings, intercepted seven passes and returned three for touchdowns. New England used the eventual No. 91 pick on Tony George, who played 31 NFL games with one start. Minnesota received far more immediate impact from the exchange.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Jimmy Hitchcock
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1999 3rd round pick (91st overall, Tony George)
Trade Analysis
Why Minnesota Paid a Future Third
The Vikings acquired Jimmy Hitchcock from New England on April 20, 1998, for a 1999 third-round pick. Hitchcock had already played three seasons for the Patriots, but Minnesota saw an opportunity to add an experienced corner to a roster that was about to contend at the highest level. The price was meaningful, yet still modest for a potential starting defensive back.
What Hitchcock Did in 1998
The return was immediate and dramatic. Hitchcock started all 16 games for a Vikings team that finished 15-1. He intercepted seven passes, returned them for 242 yards and scored three interception-return touchdowns. Those numbers made him one of the most productive turnover creators on a defense supporting the league’s highest-scoring offense. Minnesota did not receive a long multi-year tenure from Hitchcock, but one elite season has substantial value when it occurs on a championship-caliber team.
What New England Received
The future third-round choice became the 91st pick in 1999, which New England used on defensive back Tony George. George played 16 games as a rookie and 15 in 2000, but he started only one game across those two seasons and recorded no interceptions. He was useful roster depth, yet the pick did not produce a player with an impact comparable to Hitchcock’s 1998 campaign.
Final Verdict
Minnesota Vikings Win. Minnesota earns an A- because a third-round investment produced a full-time starter with seven interceptions and three touchdowns during a 15-win season. New England receives a C because George did provide two seasons of depth and special-teams value, but he never became a significant starter. The timing and magnitude of Hitchcock’s contribution make the Vikings the clear winner.