Los Angeles Chargers received Joe Owens. The Chargers…
Los Angeles Chargers received Joe Owens. The Chargers received Joe Owens and got an immediate 14-start 1970 season with strong pass-rushing production from him. San Diego got the stronger immediate season, while New Orleans later recovered Owens and gained additional service, leaving the overall outcome close. That outcome supports a B grade for Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- player Joe Owens
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 1971 fourth round pick (#91-D'Artagnan Martin)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1970-05-03, Los Angeles Chargers received Joe Owens, while New Orleans Saints received 1971 fourth round pick (#91-D'Artagnan Martin). Historical team, player, draft, and transaction sources support the direct package and provide enough career context to compare the football value that followed. The evaluation centers on what each club actually obtained from the exchange and how those assets performed or were converted afterward.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
Los Angeles Chargers received Joe Owens. The Chargers received Joe Owens and got an immediate 14-start 1970 season with strong pass-rushing production from him. San Diego got the stronger immediate season, while New Orleans later recovered Owens and gained additional service, leaving the overall outcome close. That outcome supports a B grade for Los Angeles Chargers. The grade reflects the practical return created for this franchise rather than simply the name eventually attached to a pick after later movement.
New Orleans Saints Return
New Orleans Saints received 1971 fourth round pick (#91-D'Artagnan Martin). New Orleans received the No. 91 selection used on D'Artagnan Martin, whose NFL career was brief, but Owens later returned to the Saints after his Chargers stint. San Diego got the stronger immediate season, while New Orleans later recovered Owens and gained additional service, leaving the overall outcome close. That outcome supports a B- grade for New Orleans Saints. That side is judged on the value it actually controlled after the trade, including any documented playing time or clearly traceable draft return.
Value in Hindsight
San Diego got the stronger immediate season, while New Orleans later recovered Owens and gained additional service, leaving the overall outcome close. The comparison gives the most weight to regular-season contribution, starting value, and clearly documented use of acquired draft capital. Later selections by another holder are useful for tracing a pick, but they are not treated as on-field production for a team that had already moved the asset.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Los Angeles Chargers earns a B, and New Orleans Saints earns a B-. Those grades match the supported direct package and the relative football value each side ultimately realized, without overstating a minor exchange or assigning another club's later player outcome to the wrong team.