New Orleans traded picks 10 and 78 to New England for picks 7…
New Orleans traded picks 10 and 78 to New England for picks 7 and 164, selecting Sedrick Ellis and Carl Nicks. Ellis became a five-year starting defensive tackle, while Nicks developed into a first-team All-Pro guard and Super Bowl champion. New England drafted Jerod Mayo, a Defensive Rookie of the Year and All-Pro linebacker, plus Shawn Crable. Both clubs found premium starters, making this a genuine win-win.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2008 1st round pick (10th overall, Jerod Mayo)
- pick 2008 3rd round pick (78th overall, Shawn Crable)
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2008 1st round pick (7th overall, Sedrick Ellis )
- pick 2008 5th round pick (164th overall, Carl Nicks)
Trade Analysis
The Saints wanted to move into the top seven of the 2008 draft and found a willing partner in New England. New Orleans sent the 10th and 78th selections for picks 7 and 164. The Saints selected defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and guard Carl Nicks, while the Patriots used their first-rounder on linebacker Jerod Mayo and the third-rounder on linebacker Shawn Crable.
Mayo became the headline player for New England. He started immediately, won Defensive Rookie of the Year and developed into the central communicator of the Patriots' defense. Across eight seasons he earned two Pro Bowl selections and a first-team All-Pro honor. Injuries shortened the back end of his career, but New England still received elite production and leadership from the move down. Crable contributed little, yet Mayo alone justified the Patriots' side.
New Orleans also did extremely well. Ellis started 70 games over five Saints seasons and was a solid interior defender during the franchise's championship era. The hidden gem was Nicks. Selected 164th, he became one of the NFL's best guards, earning two Pro Bowls and first-team All-Pro recognition while helping protect Drew Brees. Nicks started every game during the Saints' 2009 Super Bowl season and dramatically exceeded normal fifth-round expectations.
Hindsight sometimes forces a winner even when both sides succeeded, but this deal does not need one. New England moved down and landed an All-Pro linebacker. New Orleans moved up and received a solid first-round starter plus an All-Pro guard with the extra pick. Both teams converted their objectives into years of premium performance. The Patriots earn an A, and the Saints also earn an A. The fairest verdict is Even Trade because each side created franchise-level value from a different portion of the exchange.