New Orleans sent Rueben Mayes to Seattle for the 95th pick in…
New Orleans sent Rueben Mayes to Seattle for the 95th pick in the 1992 draft and used the fourth-round selection on offensive lineman Gene McGuire. The Saints converted an injury-affected veteran back into younger draft capital, a sensible roster move. McGuire’s return did not create overwhelming separation, but the club recovered a legitimate mid-round asset rather than losing Mayes for little.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1992 fourth round pick (95th overall, Gene McGuire)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Rueben Mayes
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle acquired running back Rueben Mayes from New Orleans during the 1992 draft for a fourth-round selection, No. 95 overall. Saints historical records identify the pick as the choice used on Gene McGuire. The trade paired a veteran back with a team seeking immediate help and gave New Orleans a chance to turn a player whose recent seasons had been affected by injuries into younger roster capital.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans sent Rueben Mayes to Seattle for the 95th pick in the 1992 draft and used the fourth-round selection on offensive lineman Gene McGuire. The Saints converted an injury-affected veteran back into younger draft capital, a sensible roster move. McGuire’s return did not create overwhelming separation, but the club recovered a legitimate mid-round asset rather than losing Mayes for little.
Seattle Seahawks Return
Seattle acquired veteran running back Rueben Mayes from New Orleans during the 1992 draft for the 95th overall selection, a fourth-round pick the Saints used on Gene McGuire. Mayes gave Seattle an experienced back and contributed after injuries had interrupted his Saints career. The Seahawks received useful short-term player value, though not enough sustained production to make the deal a clear win.
Value in Hindsight
Both teams achieved a sensible objective without producing a dramatic surplus. Seattle got veteran backfield help; New Orleans got a mid-round pick and a chance to add youth. Mayes did not recreate his early-career peak in Seattle, while the Saints’ selected player did not turn the transaction into a franchise-defining draft steal. The realized outcomes remain close enough that grading one side clearly above the other would overstate the evidence.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Seattle and New Orleans each receive a C+. The Seahawks paid a fair fourth-round price for immediate veteran help, while the Saints appropriately converted an aging, injury-affected back into a real draft selection. Neither return became a major long-term advantage, so the exchange lands near the middle for both teams rather than producing a durable winner.