New Orleans reacquired Mark Ingram from Houston for a future…

New Orleans brought Mark Ingram home in October 2021 after injuries and roster needs created an opening behind Alvin Kamara. The Saints sent Houston a future seventh-round pick, an extremely small price for a veteran who already understood the organization and had spent his best seasons in New Orleans.

Ingram's return was modest statistically but useful. He played seven games for the Saints in 2021, rushing for 260 yards and a touchdown while catching 20 passes for 138 yards. More importantly, he surpassed Deuce McAllister to become the franchise's all-time rushing leader during the season. The reunion gave New Orleans experienced backfield depth during a year in which the offense dealt with quarterback changes and injuries. Ingram remained with the club into 2022, extending the value beyond a short deadline rental.

Houston's compensation did not arrive until the 2024 draft. The Texans used pick No. 238 on USC edge defender Solomon Byrd. Byrd appeared in one regular-season game as a rookie, recording two tackles and a pass defensed. He was waived during the 2025 roster cutdown, returned to the practice squad and was waived again late that season. That is ordinary uncertainty for a seventh-round selection, but it did not create comparable on-field value.

The low acquisition cost is central to the grade. New Orleans did not buy a star season; it bought competent depth, familiarity and a meaningful franchise milestone for one of the least valuable draft assets possible. Houston made a reasonable rebuilding move but received little from the eventual selection.

The Saints rise from B to A-. Houston moves from C+ to C. New Orleans wins because the immediate football return clearly exceeded what the Texans ultimately obtained from the seventh-round pick.