Trades between Sean Payton and Bill Belichick have become commonplace over the last decade.
Friday’s blockbuster for Brandin Cooks was the sixth time of the Payton era that both teams have made deals. The Patriots have become the Saints' most consistent dance partner with the results of the different trades being mixed.
2006
Saints receive: Bethel Johnson
Patriots receive:Jonathan Sullivan
- A minimal player-for-player swap that had zero impact on either squad.
Winner: None
2008
Saints receive: Round 1 (7th)- Sedrick EllisRound 5 (164th)- Carl NicksPatriots receive: Round 1 (10th)- Jerod MayoRound 3 (78th)- Shawn Crable
- The Saints traded up with New England in the first round to grab Ellis. The Pats used the tenth pick to take Mayo. He led the Pats defense for eight seasons before retiring. Ellis was a starter for five seasons. Nicks was at one point the best guard in football while in New Orleans.
Winner: Saints2011
Saints receive: Round 1 (28th) - Mark Ingram
Patriots receive:Round 2 (56th) Shane Vereen ’12 round 1 Chandler Jones *- Jones was not a direct selection in the Ingram trade. The Patriots used the 2012 first round pick they received from the Saints and packaged it with a third rounder to move up to take him. Ingram is coming off his best season as a Saint. Still, one quality starter and one elite player for a good running back has me leaning toward New England in this deal.
Winner: Patriots
2015
Saints receive: Michael HoomanawanuiPatriots receive: Akiem Hicks- A rare in-season player-for-player trade between both teams. The Saints dealt Hicks for blocking tight end Hoomanawanui. Hicks was only in New England for 13 games but had three sacks. 'Hooman' is still with the Saints but spent last season on injured reserve. Winner: Push
2016
Saints receive:Round 2 (61st)- Vonn BellPatriots receive:Round 3 (78th)- Joe Thuney Round 4 (112th)- Malcolm Mitchell- The Saints moved back into the second round to grab Bell, who will have a bigger role for the Saints in 2017. With the third and fourth received from New Orleans, the Patriots landed two key contributors to their Super Bowl run.
Winner: Patriots
2017
Saints receive: Round 1 (32nd)Round 3 (103rd)
Patriots receive: Brandin CooksRound 4 (118th)- On the surface, it appears the Patriots committed highway robbery, but that’s only because Cooks is the only proven commodity of the group. Once the picks are selected, we will have a much clearer picture of who really did well in this trade.
Winner: Unknown