On 1971-08-16, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints completed…
On 1971-08-16, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints completed a deal that sent 1973 fourth round pick (#81-Mike Hennigan) to Detroit Lions and Carl Cunningham to New Orleans Saints. Cunningham started for New Orleans in 1971, so the Saints received real short-term help. Hennigan later appeared for Detroit, giving the Lions a modest but tangible return from a player they moved. That realized value supports a Detroit Lions Win verdict, with Detroit Lions graded B and New Orleans Saints graded C+.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1973 fourth round pick (#81-Mike Hennigan)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Carl Cunningham
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Detroit's documented return was the Saints' 1973 fourth-round choice, not a second player. Cunningham gave New Orleans immediate linebacker value, while Detroit retained a future asset that became Mike Hennigan. The original transaction matters because later pick movement can blur what each club actually received. This version keeps the identified assets attached to the correct side.
What Detroit Lions Received
Detroit Lions came away with 1973 fourth round pick (#81-Mike Hennigan). Cunningham started for New Orleans in 1971, so the Saints received real short-term help. Hennigan later appeared for Detroit, giving the Lions a modest but tangible return from a player they moved. The grade reflects both the quality of that return and how directly it benefited the franchise.
What New Orleans Saints Received
New Orleans Saints received Carl Cunningham. The comparison is not based only on the apparent value of the package on trade day. It weighs what those assets became, how long the player contribution lasted, whether a draft choice produced usable service, and whether either side quickly moved on without meaningful return.
How the Value Aged
Cunningham started for New Orleans in 1971, so the Saints received real short-term help. Hennigan later appeared for Detroit, giving the Lions a modest but tangible return from a player they moved. That is the key separator in the hindsight grade. The transaction can still have made sense for both clubs at the time, especially when veterans, roster needs and future choices were valued differently than they are today. The verdict instead measures the football value each franchise ultimately captured from the assets received in this specific exchange.
Final Verdict
The best hindsight result is Detroit Lions Win. Detroit Lions earns a B and New Orleans Saints earns a C+. Corrects the return to one 1973 fourth-round pick and removes the unsupported Jim Ward asset. The grade spread stays proportional to the actual impact: a clear but modest advantage remains modest, while a long-term starter or star compared with little return creates a wider separation.