Five major trades between the Dolphins and Saints
By Ryan Davis
This week the Dolphins play the Saints in London and over the last fifteen years, there have been many memorable trades between the two teams. The Saints have traded the Dolphins two Heisman Trophy running backs and, recently, two young athletic players. Plus, the Dolphins traded the Saints one of their all-time greats.
The biggest trade between the two teams was when the Dolphins acquired Ricky Williams on March 8, 2002. While the Saints received the Dolphins 2002 first round pick, 2003 first round pick, and they swapped fourth round picks in 2003.
Williams was both, terrific for the Dolphins and an utter disappointment. He had one of the greatest seasons ever for a running back in 2002 with 383 carries, 1,853 yards rushing, and 17 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he retires in 2004 and is suspended for the entire 2006 season for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
The Saints in the first round in 2002 would select defensive end Charles Grant. Grant would play 8 seasons with the Saints recording 47 sacks, but never making a Pro Bowl. He was a solid defensive end.
The fourth-round pick in 2002 would be cornerback Keyuo Craver, who would play two years with no major impact on the team. While the Dolphins drafted tight end Randy McMichael in the fourth round with the Saints pick. McMichael in 5 seasons would start 80 games with 283 receptions, 3,096 yards, and 18 touchdowns.
In 2003, the Saints would trade the Dolphins first-round pick and their own first-round pick to the Cardinals for the 6th overall pick. They would select defensive tackle Jonathan Sullivan. Sullivan would start only 16 games in 3 seasons with the Saints and record 56 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Years later, the Dolphins acquire another running back from the Saints and his name was Reggie Bush. Bush was acquired for a swap of sixth round picks in the 2012 draft and safety Jonathan Amaya. Bush would start 31 games for Dolphins and rush for over 2000 yards in 2 seasons. On the other hand, Amaya would play one season for the Saints and make 3 tackles.
One of the Dolphins best kickers of all-time, Olindo Mare, was traded to the Saints for a sixth-round pick in 2007. The Dolphins selected center Drew Mormino. Mare would play only one season with the Saints.
In 2015, the Dolphins traded linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a 2015 third-round pick to the Saints for Kenny Stills. Ellerbe started 12 games over two seasons and had 68 tackles for the Dolphins. In the third round the Saints would select cornerback P.J. Williams.
Williams has started three games this year at cornerback, but mostly missed the previous two seasons due to injury. Stills has started 26 games, caught 75 passes for 1,254 yards, and 13 touchdowns for the Dolphins.
Recently, the Dolphins acquired linebacker and former first round pick Stephone Anthony from the Saints for their 2018 fifth-round pick. Anthony was active against the Jets, but did not play.
The Dolphins have had some success in these trades with the Saints but have the Dolphins won every trade with the Saints?