New Orleans acquired the No. 12 pick in the 1975 draft and…
New Orleans acquired the No. 12 pick in the 1975 draft and selected offensive lineman Kurt Schumacher, while the Jets received defensive lineman Billy Newsome. Schumacher stayed with the Saints for 45 games and made 20 starts. Newsome immediately started all 14 games for New York in 1975 and recorded eight sacks, giving both teams useful value on different timelines.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1975 first round pick (#12-Kurt Schumacher)
New York Jets Received
- player Billy Newsome
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
New Orleans acquired the No. 12 selection in the 1975 draft from the Jets and used it on offensive lineman Kurt Schumacher. New York received defensive lineman Billy Newsome. The deal matched a premium draft choice against an established veteran rather than a simple pick swap.
Why the Jets Got Immediate Production
Newsome stepped directly into the lineup. He started all 14 games for the 1975 Jets and recorded eight sacks, giving New York a productive veteran season from the outset. For a club trading away a first-round choice, that immediate return was significant.
What Schumacher Gave New Orleans
Schumacher did not become a star, but he supplied more years of service. He appeared in 45 games and started 20 during his NFL career, spending multiple seasons with the Saints. That longer runway balanced the fact that his rookie impact was limited compared with Newsome's first Jets season.
How the Returns Balanced Out
New York received the better immediate season; New Orleans received the younger player and longer tenure. Neither side ultimately landed an All-Pro cornerstone or a player whose production created a dramatic historical gap. The exchange instead delivered different forms of mid-level value: immediate defense for New York and longer developmental value for New Orleans.
Final Verdict
This is best graded as even. Both teams receive a B-. The Jets can point to Newsome's instant starting role and pass-rush production, while the Saints can point to several seasons of service from a first-round lineman. The original Saints-win grading overstated the separation between two useful but non-transformative returns.
Kurt Schumacher gave New Orleans 45 games and 20 starts, while Billy Newsome immediately started every Jets game and recorded eight sacks in 1975, leaving both clubs with useful value across different time horizons. That balance remained evident across the full transaction return.