New Orleans acquired Henry Matthews from New England for a…
New Orleans acquired Henry Matthews from New England for a future fifth-round choice. Surviving draft records most plausibly connect that compensation to the 1974 selection that became Charlie Battle at No. 124. Matthews appeared for the Saints in 1973 but did not become a long-term contributor, leaving New Orleans with only brief roster service from the player it acquired.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1974 fifth round pick (probably #124-Charles Battle / Charlie Battle)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Henry Matthews
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
On August 29, 1973, New Orleans acquired Henry Matthews from New England for a future draft choice. The strongest surviving draft trail points to a fifth-round selection in 1974, probably pick No. 124, which New England used on Charlie Battle. The package is sufficiently supported to describe the exchange, but the word “probably” matters because the old records do not identify the selection with the same precision found in many other transactions from this period.
New Orleans Return
Matthews did appear for the Saints in 1973, so New Orleans received actual roster value rather than an empty transaction. His contribution, however, was limited and did not develop into a long multi-season Saints role. That makes the player side modest: useful enough to avoid a poor grade, but not strong enough to overcome even late-round draft capital if the identified pick trail is correct.
New England Return
The Patriots received a future selection rather than immediate veteran help. Draft records connect the transaction to the fifth-round slot used on Charlie Battle. A fifth-round pick is not premium compensation, and the uncertainty surrounding the exact selection prevents assigning New England a strong win. Still, turning a player with limited subsequent Saints impact into a draft asset is a small positive result.
Final Verdict
New England gets a narrow edge. The Patriots' C+ and the Saints' C keep the difference intentionally small because the player contribution was limited and the precise pick lineage is not perfectly documented. The transaction is suitable for a public verdict, but the moderate confidence level should remain visible in the restrained grades and wording.
Henry Matthews gave New Orleans only a short 1973 stay, while New England received future fifth-round value tied in the surviving draft trail to the selection that became Charlie Battle, creating the more durable asset return.