Revisiting the Insane Saints-Dolphins Trade for Ricky Williams
By Jerry Trotta
The New Orleans Saints traded their ENTIRE draft to select running back Ricky Williams at No. 5 overall in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft. The deal included all six of the Saints' picks in that draft, and two others in the 2000 draft.
Williams lasted for three seasons in New Orleans before he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2002 for another stunning haul of draft capital.
Jeff Fisher looks at the Saints trade for Ricky Williams: hmmm let's do that
— Chris Branch (@cbranch89) April 14, 2016
Saints-Dolphins Ricky Williams Trade Details
Dolphins acquire: Ricky Williams, 2002 fourth-round pick
Saints acquire: 2002 first- and fourth-rounder, as well as a conditional 2003 third-rounder (which turned into a first-round pick after Williams' first season in Miami),
Miami's investment was MASSIVE for an RB, but lucky for them, the Saints failed to hit on most of the picks they unloaded for Williams. In fact, the only draft selection that panned out for New Orleans was defensive end Charles Grant. In eight years with the team, the former No. 25 overall pick logged 47 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 66 tackles for loss.
20 years ago, the Saints made the infamous Ricky Williams trade. But who were the biggest losers in that trade? Out of the all the potential actors, it's hard to say the Saints came out worst https://t.co/QOLwisKm4M
— Jason Lisk (@JasonLisk) April 22, 2019
Who Won the Saints-Dolphins Trade for Ricky Williams?
Williams' time with the Dolphins is well documented, in that he accumulated a number of suspensions that were the product of failed drug tests. Speaking just in terms of football, however, the former Texas star was solid for Miami. Williams led the NFL in rushing with over 1800 yards in 2002, and registered over 6,400 rushing yards across his seven-year stint with the Dolphins. He compiled four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
It's hard to say that Miami didn't win this trade, no? Williams was a big time headache, but he was also a stud for a four-year stretch. Not many running backs can say that. Moreover, the Saints didn't take advantage of the shipment of picks they received in the deal. Considering that Nola traded an entire draft away for Williams in the first place, it's impossible not to say that the Fins came out on top here.