The Raiders acquired Ted Davis from New Orleans, but Davis…
The Raiders acquired Ted Davis from New Orleans, but Davis did not provide a meaningful regular-season return for the club. His final NFL action came with Miami in 1970 rather than with the Raiders. With no sustained contribution from the incoming player and New Orleans later receiving useful rookie production from its draft choice, the Raiders realized the weaker side of the exchange and merit a D grade.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Ted Davis
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1971 eighth round pick (#201- Bob Gresham )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1970-05-02, Las Vegas Raiders received Ted Davis, while New Orleans Saints received 1971 eighth round pick (#201-Bob Gresham). The deal can be judged by the value each franchise actually controlled after the exchange: direct playing time, useful roster service, and clearly documented movement of any draft choice. Those later results provide the basis for comparing the two returns.
Las Vegas Raiders Return
The Raiders acquired Ted Davis from New Orleans, but Davis did not provide a meaningful regular-season return for the club. His final NFL action came with Miami in 1970 rather than with the Raiders. With no sustained contribution from the incoming player and New Orleans later receiving useful rookie production from its draft choice, the Raiders realized the weaker side of the exchange and merit a D grade. The grade reflects the actual usefulness of that return rather than the reputation or theoretical value attached to the asset on the day of the deal.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans received the 1971 eighth-round pick used on running back Bob Gresham after sending Ted Davis to the Raiders. Gresham played immediately for the Saints and scored six rushing touchdowns as a rookie, giving New Orleans tangible production from a very late selection. That usable on-field return clearly exceeded what the Raiders received from Davis and supports a B+ grade for the Saints. The same standard applies to this side: tangible playing value and clearly retained draft capital matter more than an eventual selection made by a different franchise.
Value in Hindsight
An eighth-round pick normally carries limited expectations, which makes Gresham's immediate scoring contribution especially valuable in this comparison. The Raiders did not receive a corresponding regular-season benefit from Davis, while New Orleans turned a distant draft choice into a player who helped right away. The difference is large enough to support a clear Saints win despite the modest original stakes.
Final Verdict
The final call is New Orleans Saints Win. Las Vegas Raiders earns D, and New Orleans Saints earns B+. Those grades reflect the supported package and the relative football value each side realized, while keeping later draft movement in the proper franchise context.