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. Newsome started all 14 games for New York in 1975 and recorded eight sacks. Schumacher had the longer Saints tenure, appearing in 45 games with 20 starts. Neither return became a franchise cornerstone, but both teams received useful value.
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.