The Art of the Trade- Notable Draft Day Trades and Their Impact

We'll do our best to delve into some of the most significant draft day trades, unravel their implications, and share a few intriguing anecdotes that color the rich tapestry of NFL history.

The Herschel Walker Trade: A Gamble That Built a Dynasty

The 1989 trade of Herschel Walker, one of the NFL's premier running backs, from the Dallas Cowboys to the Minnesota Vikings, is the stuff of legends. The Cowboys' new owner, Jerry Jones, and head coach, Jimmy Johnson, were willing to trade their star player in a gamble that shocked the sports world. In return, they received a treasure trove of draft picks and players from the Vikings.

Initially, critics lambasted the Cowboys' decision, touting the trade as a massive victory for the Vikings. However, Jones and Johnson had the last laugh. They shrewdly used the acquired draft picks to select future NFL stars like Emmitt Smith, Darren Woodson, and Russell Maryland. This infusion of talent laid the foundation for the Cowboys' dynasty of the 1990s, leading to three Super Bowl victories. This blockbuster deal underscores the potential long-term impact of draft day trades and serves as a testament to the Cowboys' audacious, yet ultimately successful, strategy.

The Ricky Williams Trade: A Cautionary Tale

The 1999 draft day trade involving Ricky Williams is a classic example of the high-risk, high-reward nature of such deals. New Orleans Saints' head coach Mike Ditka was so enamored with Williams, a running back from the University of Texas, that he traded all of the Saints' draft picks that year, as well as first- and third-round picks the following year, to the Washington Redskins to secure Williams. As a fun tidbit, Ditka was so confident about Williams that he even posed with him on the cover of a sports magazine, both of them dressed as newlyweds. Unfortunately for Ditka and the Saints, the marriage didn't last long.

Williams' stint in New Orleans was marred by inconsistency and off-field issues, and he was traded to the Miami Dolphins just three years later. Meanwhile, the Redskins used the bounty of picks to bolster their roster with talent and depth. The trade serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of putting all your eggs in one basket, especially on draft day.

The Eli Manning-Philip Rivers Trade: A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

The 2004 NFL Draft was one for the books, featuring a trade that involved two future star quarterbacks: Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. The San Diego Chargers held the first overall pick and selected Manning, despite his publicly stated desire to not play for the Chargers. In a daring move, the Chargers traded Manning to the New York Giants for their fourth overall pick, Rivers, plus additional draft picks.

Both quarterbacks went on to have fruitful careers, with Manning clinching two Super Bowl titles with the Giants. An amusing twist to this story is that Manning's reluctance to play for the Chargers was reportedly due to a less-than-impressive tour of San Diego he received prior to the draft - the team had an intern show him around the city, and Manning supposedly found the experience underwhelming. In the end, the trade was a win-win for both teams and a reminder of the importance of player-team fit.

The Carson Wentz Trade: Betting on Potential

In 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles made a bold move, trading a bevy of draft picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up and select North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz with the second overall pick. While Wentz had a few successful seasons with the Eagles, including a Super Bowl win (though he was injured for the game), he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts after the 2020 season. The Browns, on the other hand, utilized the picks to select several key players, transforming their team into a playoff contender.

Wentz's story in Philadelphia is a poignant reminder of the volatility and unpredictability of the NFL. His career with the Eagles started with promise but ended with him being traded. Meanwhile, the Browns' savvy use of the draft picks they received underscores the potential value of draft capital.

Conclusion

The NFL Draft Day trades are more than just transactions. They are calculated gambles, intricate dances that can alter the trajectory of franchises. They can lead to dynasties, bring about cautionary tales, or result in beneficial exchanges. As we delve into the stories behind these trades, we discover not just the strategy and foresight involved but also the human elements - the dreams, dramas, and destinies that make the NFL a continually captivating spectacle.