New England sent veteran guard Sam Adams to New Orleans on…
New England sent veteran guard Sam Adams to New Orleans on April 23, 1981 for the Saints' eighth-round selection, No. 194. The Patriots used the pick on Ken Naber, who did not become an NFL regular-season contributor. Adams, meanwhile, started all 16 games for New Orleans in 1981. Turning a late-round choice into a full season of starting line play gives the Saints the clear edge.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1981 eighth round pick (#194-Ken Naber)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Sam Adams (Edward)
Trade Analysis
Why New Orleans Made the Move
The Saints acquired veteran guard Sam Adams from New England on April 23, 1981 for an eighth-round draft choice. Adams was an experienced interior lineman, and the price was the kind of late selection teams often use to buy short-term stability rather than wait on a developmental prospect.
What the Saints Received
Adams gave New Orleans exactly that stability. Team and player records show him appearing in all 16 games and starting all 16 during the 1981 season. It was his only year with the Saints and his final NFL season, but a full schedule of starting offensive-line work is meaningful production for an eighth-round price.
What New England Received
The Patriots used the acquired No. 194 selection on Ken Naber. The pick did not develop into a comparable NFL contributor. That leaves New England with the theoretical upside of a late draft choice but little realized professional value from the player selected.
Why the Price Matters
This was not a blockbuster in which either side risked a premium asset. New Orleans exchanged a low-probability late pick for a veteran who filled a starting job for an entire season. Even though Adams was near the end of his career, the Saints received immediate football value at a modest acquisition cost.
Final Verdict
New Orleans earns a B and New England a D+. Adams supplied 16 starts, while the eighth-round return did not produce meaningful NFL service for the Patriots. The short duration keeps the Saints below an elite grade, but the direct value comparison strongly favors New Orleans.