New York acquired Ottis Anderson from the St. Louis Cardinals…
New York acquired Ottis Anderson from the St. Louis Cardinals for two 1987 draft choices, later identified as the second-round pick used on Scott Schwedes and the seventh-round pick used on William Harris. Anderson initially served as depth, then became a key starter and Super Bowl XXV MVP. The two-pick cost proved modest compared with his championship impact, giving the Giants a decisive long-term win.
New York Giants Received
- player Ottis Anderson
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1987 second-round pick, No. 56 overall, used on Scott Schwedes
- pick 1987 seventh-round pick, No. 195 overall, used on William Harris
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On October 8, 1986, the Giants acquired Ottis Anderson from the St. Louis Cardinals for two 1987 draft choices. Contemporary coverage described them initially as undisclosed, but the transaction trail identifies the selections as No. 56 in the second round and No. 195 in the seventh. St. Louis used them on Scott Schwedes and William Harris.
Why New York Made the Deal
The Giants were 5-1 and looking for another experienced back behind Joe Morris. Anderson had been one of the league's top runners earlier in his Cardinals career, though injuries and the emergence of Stump Mitchell reduced his role. New York accepted his contract and paid future picks for depth that could help a championship-caliber roster immediately.
What St. Louis Received
The Cardinals gained two selections and moved an expensive veteran whose role had declined. That was a defensible roster decision at the time. The problem came in the outcomes: Schwedes and Harris did not become players who approached Anderson's later importance, leaving St. Louis without a lasting payoff from the draft capital.
How the Value Developed
Anderson's first Giants seasons were quiet, but his role changed dramatically in 1989. He rushed for 1,023 yards and 14 touchdowns, then became a central part of the 1990 championship team. His 102-yard rushing performance in Super Bowl XXV earned game MVP honors, adding an iconic postseason result to the transaction.
Final Verdict
The Giants win clearly. A second- and seventh-round pick was a reasonable price for veteran depth, and Anderson eventually became far more than that. His championship production and Super Bowl MVP performance overwhelm the modest return St. Louis received from the two selections.
Anderson's championship impact and Super Bowl XXV MVP performance dramatically exceeded the Cardinals' return from Schwedes and Harris over the life of the transaction.