Minnesota exchanged the 24th pick in the 1989 draft for…
Minnesota exchanged the 24th pick in the 1989 draft for linebacker Mike Merriweather after the three-time Pro Bowler had sat out the entire 1988 season in Pittsburgh. The gamble worked: Merriweather immediately returned to the field, started every game he played during four seasons with the Vikings, and supplied far more sustained value than the late first-round pick Minnesota surrendered.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Mike Merriweather
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1989 first round pick (#24-Tom Ricketts)
Trade Analysis
Pittsburgh had a strong reason to make this deal. Mike Merriweather had been one of the Steelers' best defenders, earning three Pro Bowl selections and producing a 15-sack season, but his contract dispute cost him the entire 1988 season. With the relationship stalled, Pittsburgh turned an inactive veteran into Minnesota's No. 24 selection. The Steelers used that pick on tackle Tom Ricketts, so the club at least recovered premium draft capital instead of losing Merriweather for nothing.
Minnesota's bet was more aggressive and ultimately more productive. The Vikings believed Merriweather was better than anyone they could realistically select at No. 24, and the contemporary reporting makes clear that completing a contract with him was essential to the transaction. Once the deal was completed, Merriweather immediately restored his value on the field. He became a durable starter for Minnesota and gave the defense four straight seasons of regular work, starting all 63 games he played for the Vikings.
Ricketts did not provide Pittsburgh with a comparable return. He appeared in 53 NFL games and made 15 starts, with only three seasons coming in a Steelers uniform. That is useful depth from a late first-rounder, but it falls well short of the established linebacker Minnesota acquired. The Steelers deserve credit for salvaging a valuable pick from a difficult holdout situation, which keeps their grade respectable. In hindsight, though, Minnesota received the better football player and immediately converted its late first-round asset into several seasons of dependable starting production. That makes the Vikings the winner.