Miami acquired young receiver Kenny Stills from New Orleans…
Miami acquired young receiver Kenny Stills from New Orleans for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and the 78th pick in the 2015 draft. Stills gave the Dolphins four productive seasons and was a legitimate deep threat. The Saints received useful linebacker play from Ellerbe and used No. 78 on defensive back P.J. Williams, who remained with New Orleans for years. Both sides gained value, but the two-piece Saints return lasted longer.
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Kenny Stills
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Dannell Ellerbe
- pick 2015 3rd round pick (78th overall, P.J. Williams)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
New Orleans was aggressively reshaping its roster in March 2015 and made Kenny Stills available despite his strong second season. Miami wanted a young vertical receiver and could absorb the move while sending linebacker Dannell Ellerbe in the other direction. The Dolphins also included their 2015 third-round pick, No. 78.
What Each Side Received
Miami received Stills. New Orleans received Ellerbe and No. 78, which the Saints used on defensive back P.J. Williams. The third-round pick is important because it turned the trade from a veteran swap into a two-asset return for New Orleans.
How the Value Developed
Stills was productive in Miami. He stayed four seasons, stretched defenses and posted multiple years with significant receiving production. That makes a low Miami grade inappropriate. New Orleans nevertheless assembled a deeper return. Ellerbe supplied useful linebacker snaps when healthy, and Williams developed into a long-tenured member of the Saints secondary, contributing across several defensive roles and special teams. The Saints therefore received two pieces that combined for more total years of service.
Why New Orleans Gets the Edge
The difference is not that Miami failed. Stills was exactly the kind of young, affordable receiver the Dolphins were seeking and gave them real offensive value. New Orleans simply extracted both a veteran defender and a day-two draft choice, then turned the pick into a player who remained useful for many seasons.
Final Verdict
New Orleans earns a B+ for converting Stills into two contributors, including a third-round defensive back with substantial longevity. Miami gets a B because Stills became a productive starter and justified a meaningful portion of the cost. The Saints win, but this is a competitive trade rather than a lopsided one.