NFL: The best trade in each franchise’s history

Best trade in New Orleans Saints history: Acquiring Will Roaf

The Detroit Lions believed they were pulling a fast one on the New Orleans Saints. After watching Pat Swilling dominate for years, they decided that they wanted him on their squad. The Saints granted their request but only under one condition – they hand over the eighth overall pick in the 1993 draft.

It was better to get a known commodity in Swilling than a rookie needing to prove their worth. If Detroit could do it all over again, they simply would’ve held onto the pick.

The Saints used their new pick to snatch Louisiana Tech offensive tackle Willie Roaf. From the moment he stepped on the field, Roaf was a monster. He headlined the 1993 All-Rookie Team and kept piling up the awards year after year. For a seven-year stretch, Roaf was selected to the Pro Bowl and made 11 appearances throughout his career. He was also a four-time First-Team All-Pro.

While Roaf was out there dominating night in and night out, Swilling was struggling with his new team. Outside of his first year in Detroit where he made the Pro Bowl, his numbers plummeted all across the board. He was eventually moved after two rocky years.

With so many years of production under his belt for the Saints, Roaf was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, cementing his place as the greatest trade in Saints history.