Minnesota traded wide receiver Mike Jones to New Orleans on…
Minnesota traded wide receiver Mike Jones to New Orleans on September 2, 1986 for running back Wayne Wilson. Wilson had been productive earlier in his career, but his Minnesota stay produced only eight carries for 14 yards in seven games. The Vikings gained veteran depth, yet the return was brief and modest, leaving Minnesota with little direct football value from the exchange.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Wayne Wilson
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Mike Jones
Trade Analysis
Why the Date Matters
Contemporary reporting places the Mike Jones-Wayne Wilson exchange on September 2, 1986. Minnesota sent Jones to New Orleans and received Wilson in a straight player-for-player trade. Correctly recording the date also aligns the transaction with the same day Minnesota added safety John Harris from Seattle, an unusually active roster day for the Vikings just before the regular season.
What New Orleans Received
Jones immediately became useful in the Saints passing game. In 1986 he caught 48 passes for 625 yards and three touchdowns. That was not superstar production, but it was a substantial one-season contribution from a receiver acquired at the end of the preseason. New Orleans received a player who could step into the offense and handle a meaningful share of the targets right away.
What Minnesota Received
Wilson arrived with an established NFL resume as both a runner and receiver, so Minnesota's logic was understandable. His Vikings tenure, however, produced very little. He appeared in seven games and carried eight times for 14 yards. The deal therefore did not recreate the earlier New Orleans production that had made Wilson attractive as veteran backfield depth.
How the Value Settled
This transaction is best judged on what happened after the exchange, not on the players' earlier reputations. Jones gave the Saints hundreds of receiving yards immediately, while Wilson barely touched the ball for Minnesota. Neither became a long-term centerpiece, but the one-season difference is large enough to separate the sides clearly.
Final Verdict
New Orleans earns a B+ and Minnesota a C-. The Saints received an immediate receiving contributor for a running back whose role in Minnesota was minimal. The gap in direct post-trade production makes this a New Orleans Saints Win.