NFL

The 10 Most One-Sided Trades in Recent NFL History

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Honorable Mention

The following exchanges possess an AV differential of 100 or more, but they come up just short of the top 10.

Let's start with the winners of each trade.

AV Diff.YearTeamAV InReceived
1121998Cardinals1133rd overall in 1998 (Andre Wadsworth), 33rd overall in 1998 (Corey Chavous), 8th overall in 1999 (David Boston), Eric Metcalf, Patrick Sapp
1112004Bengals17624th overall in 2004 (Steven Jackson), 117th overall in 2004 (Robert Geathers), Deltha O'Neal
1112001Colts16630th overall in 2001 (Reggie Wayne), 91st overall in 2001 (Cory Bird), 193rd overall in 2001 (Jason Doering)
1091995Panthers1225th overall in 1995 (Kerry Collins), 36th overall in 1995 (Shawn King)
1081996Chiefs10998th overall in 1996 (Donnie Edwards), 214th overall in 1997 (Nathan Parks)
1081995Buccaneers16612th overall in 1995 (Warren Sapp), 43rd overall in 1995 (Melvin Johnson), 63rd overall in 1995 (Shane Hannah)
1042000Seahawks15519th overall in 2000 (Shaun Alexander), 7th overall in 2000 (Andre Carter)
1021998Buccaneers11713th overall in 1998 (John Abraham)
1021996Patriots10586th overall in 1996 (Tedy Bruschi), 119th overall in 1996) Chris Sullivan), 195th overall in 1996 (Marrio Grier)
1012005Titans13141st overall in 2005 (Michael Roos), 113th overall in 2005 (David Stewart)


Who are the losers of those same trades?

AV Diff.YearTeamAV InReceived
-1121998Chargers12nd overall in 1998 (Ryan Leaf)
-1112004Broncos6517th overall in 2004 (D.J. Williams)
-1112001Giants5522nd overall in 2001 (Will Allen)
-1091995Bengals131st overall in 1995 (Ki-Jana Carter)
-1081996Dolphins1113th overall in 1996 (Kirk Pointer), 125th overall in 1996 (LaCurtis Jones)
-1081995Eagles587th overall in 1995 (Mike Mamula), 72nd overall in 1995 (Greg Jefferson)
-1042000Cowboys51Joey Galloway
-1021998Chargers1559th overall in 1998 (Mikhael Ricks)
-1021996Lions376th overall in 1996 (Ryan Stewart)
-1012005Lions3037th overall in 2005 (Shaun Cody)


It isn't shocking to see the failed Ryan Leaf trade atop the honorable mentions. Leaf was a highly touted prospect coming out of college, but turned in just 21 starts over four years in the league. The Chargers still regret surrendering a total of five players in order to grab a young man they believed would be their franchise quarterback for years to come.

Among the other nine swaps, those for Pro Bowlers like Reggie Wayne, Warren Sapp, Shaun Alexander and Tedy Bruschi certainly became franchise-altering moves for those trade-winning teams. In fact, those four players have five -- count 'em, five -- Super Bowl rings and one MVP award (Alexander) between them.