New England traded defensive end/linebacker Mike Jones to St.…
New England traded defensive end/linebacker Mike Jones to St. Louis on August 30, 1998 for a future draft choice that became the Rams' 2000 fifth-round pick, No. 161. The Patriots used it on Missouri defensive tackle Jeff Marriott, who was released before the 2000 regular season.
Los Angeles Rams Received
- player Mike Jones
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2000 fifth-round pick (No. 161; Jeff Marriott )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New England's official 1999 media guide records the Patriots trading Mike Jones to the St. Louis Rams on August 30, 1998 for an undisclosed future draft choice. Patriots draft history later identifies that return precisely: the 2000 fifth-round pick, No. 161, used on Jeff Marriott, came from St. Louis for Jones. NFL.com independently records the August 30 player trade.
St. Louis' Return
Jones became an immediate three-year starter for one of the NFL's best teams. Pro Football Reference records 16 starts in each of 1998, 1999 and 2000 for the Rams. His 1999 season ended with the defining defensive play of Super Bowl XXXIV, stopping Kevin Dyson at the goal line on the final snap to preserve St. Louis' championship. He remained a full-time starter again in 2000 before leaving for Pittsburgh.
New England's Return
The Patriots used No. 161 on Missouri defensive tackle Jeff Marriott. New England signed him in July 2000 but released him on August 27 before the regular season. Pro Football Archives records no NFL regular-season appearance for Marriott. The pick was legitimate compensation, but it produced no game value for the Patriots.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Rams Win. St. Louis earns an A because a fifth-round cost produced 48 starts across three seasons and a championship-defining play. New England earns a D+ because the delayed draft return became a player who did not make the regular-season roster. The legacy row had the pick on the wrong side; the source-safe asset flow makes the Rams advantage clear.