Miami acquired Ricky Williams and moved up 11 spots in the…
Miami acquired Ricky Williams and moved up 11 spots in the fourth round, while New Orleans received Miami's 2002 first-rounder, the lower fourth-round pick and a conditional 2003 selection that became a first-rounder. Williams immediately led the NFL with 1,853 rushing yards in 2002 and remained highly productive in 2003. New Orleans turned the premium picks into Charles Grant and part of the package used to draft Johnathan Sullivan.
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Ricky Williams
- pick 2002 4th round pick (114th overall, Randy McMichael)
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2002 1st round pick (25th overall, Charles Grant), 2002 4th round pick (125th overall, Keyuo Craver) and 2003 1st round pick (18th overall subsequently traded, Calvin Pace )
Trade Analysis
Miami bought a star rather than a projection. Ricky Williams had rushed for 1,245 yards in 2001, and the Dolphins believed he could become the centerpiece of an offense that already had a strong defense. They sent New Orleans the 25th pick in 2002, swapped fourth-round positions and included a conditional 2003 third-rounder that escalated to a first-round choice because Williams met performance conditions. The price was heavy, but Williams immediately delivered the best season of his career: 1,853 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns and the NFL rushing title in 2002. He followed with 1,372 yards in 2003.
The complication is longevity. Williams abruptly retired before the 2004 season, later returned, served a drug-policy suspension and eventually resumed productive play for Miami. His first two seasons alone provided genuine star value, but the interruptions prevented the Dolphins from receiving the uninterrupted prime they expected when they paid two first-round-level assets.
New Orleans also produced a mixed downstream result. The Saints used the 25th pick on defensive end Charles Grant, who became a long-term starter and recorded 47 sacks over eight seasons with the club. The fourth-round swap moved New Orleans from No. 114 to No. 125, while Miami used No. 114 on tight end Randy McMichael, another productive player. The conditional 2003 pick became No. 18. New Orleans combined it with its own first-rounder and swapped later selections with Arizona to jump to No. 6 for Johnathan Sullivan, one of the franchise's major draft disappointments. That later decision reduced the practical value of the compensation without changing what Miami originally surrendered.
Both teams can defend the transaction. Miami received two elite seasons from a premier running back, while New Orleans recovered significant draft capital and found a quality defender in Grant. Williams' interrupted tenure keeps the Dolphins from earning an elite grade, and Sullivan's failure keeps the Saints from fully capitalizing on their haul. The balance supports an even verdict.