New Orleans moved from pick No. 107 to Nos. 116 and 165, then…
New Orleans moved from pick No. 107 to Nos. 116 and 165, then selected wide receiver Keith Poole and offensive lineman Nick Savoie. Poole became the useful piece: he played 48 games for the Saints and caught 11 touchdowns. Savoie appeared only briefly, but Poole alone supplied more New Orleans production than Tennessee received from Pratt Lyons, making the trade-down worthwhile.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1997 fourth-round pick (No. 116, Keith Poole )
- pick 1997 sixth-round pick (No. 165, Nick Savoie )
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1997 fourth-round pick (No. 107, Pratt Lyons )
Trade Analysis
The Draft-Day Exchange
On April 18, 1997, the Houston Oilers sent New Orleans the 116th and 165th selections for pick No. 107. Houston used the higher choice on Georgia defensive lineman Pratt Lyons. The Saints used No. 116 on Arizona State wide receiver Keith Poole and No. 165 on New Mexico State offensive lineman Nick Savoie. It was a classic move-down: New Orleans surrendered nine spots in the fourth round to add a sixth-round choice.
What New Orleans Received
Poole supplied the best realized value in the deal. He spent four seasons with the Saints, appearing in 48 games and catching 11 touchdown passes. He was not a featured receiver, but he became a legitimate rotational target rather than merely a camp body. Savoie played only one NFL game, so the second selection added little. Even so, Poole gave the Saints several years of useful production from the lower fourth-round pick.
What Houston Received
Lyons also reached the field and was not a failed selection. He played 32 NFL games, finishing with 4.5 sacks. His career was shorter and his impact for the Oilers was more modest than Poole's receiving contribution in New Orleans. Houston therefore got a serviceable defensive lineman, just not enough extra value to offset the additional selection it surrendered.
Why the Trade Favors New Orleans
This was not a lopsided transaction because both clubs found an NFL contributor. The distinction is duration and team-specific production. New Orleans moved down only nine spots, added another pick, and still selected the player who delivered the stronger return.
Final Verdict
New Orleans earns a B for turning one fourth-rounder into two choices and getting four useful seasons from Poole. Tennessee receives a C for Lyons' modest contribution. The Saints win on realized value.
Poole's four-year Saints tenure provided the strongest direct return.