With the 2020 NFL draft just hours away, there have been rumblings of the Philadelphia Eagles trading up. Ceedee Lamb, Henry Ruggs, and Jerry Jeudy are the top three names that come to mind, all of which would be worth trading up for. However, the real question at stake here is, ‘has history shown to be in favor of the Eagles trading up in the first round?’
It may be a little soon to touch on Andre Dillard, who the Eagles moved up for last year, leapfrogging the Texans who would then select Tytus Howard. Although, Dillard looked fairly impressive when filling in for Jason Peters and the team would not have moved on from ‘The Bodyguard’ without full confidence in the Washington State product.
To help answer this question, let’s reflect on the last time they traded up inside the top 10: the prolific 2016 draft.
In hindsight, it’s quite obvious that the Eagles won the trades they made to get to #2 in 2016. No argument needs to be made to display Carson Wentz’s brilliant career, aside from his injuries, so far. However, it did take a lot to get to that spot.
Who did those picks end up being?
The Trade:
As many probably remember, the Eagles did not directly get the #2 pick. It took a bridging move to get there. The initially had the #13 pick in the draft, found their way to #8, then got to #2 by draft day.
First trade:
Philadelphia Eagles received: 2016 #8 overall pick
Miami Dolphins received: #13 overall pick, Byron Maxwell, and Kiko Alonso
This trade was obviously nothing more than a lateral move for Philly. In his first year back in control, Howie Roseman not only freed up a ton of cap space, however, bridged the gap to getting the second pick. In dire need of a quarterback, Howie knew he needed to get in the top two. The L.A. Rams beat him to the first pick, so he quickly eyed up that second spot.
Second Trade:
Philadelphia Eagles received: #2 overall pick, 2017 4th round pick
Cleveland Browns received: #8 overall pick, a 2016 3rd, a 2016 4th, and both a 2017 1st and 2nd rounder.
This was a month after the trade with the Dolphins, showing Roseman’s plan all along.
The Brown’s picks:
At the conclusion of the 2019 draft, the Carson Wentz trade was finally completed. The Browns traded a few of the picks for more picks, which ultimately just made their situation worse.
In the case of those picks exactly, here’s how those turned out:
- 2016 first-round pick (No. 8): Traded to Titans
- 2016 third round (No. 77): Traded to Panthers
- 2016 fourth-round pick (No. 100): Traded to Raiders
- 2017 first-round pick (No. 12): Traded to Texans
- 2018 second-round pick (No. 64): Traded to the Colts
As for players, the list doesn’t sound much more promising:
(Side note: there are many minor moves in between with other teams, but these are the ones who were on the Browns’ roster at some point)
- Corey Coleman (Traded to Giants for 2020 7th)
- Shon Coleman (Traded to 49ers for 2019 7th round pick, 243rd overall, subsequently traded, Nick Scott)
- Cody Kessler (Traded to Jacksonville for 7th round pick)
- Derrick Kindred (Waived by Browns in 2019)
- Spencer Drango (Waived by Browns in 2018)
- Ricardo Louis (Cut by Browns twice, both in 2018 and 2019)
- Jordan Payton (Cut by Browns in 2017)
- Jabrill Peppers (Traded by Browns with 2019 1st round pick (17th overall, Dexter Lawrence) and 2019 3rd round pick (95th overall, Oshane Ximines) to Giants for Odell Beckham Jr.)
- Deshone Kizer (Since traded, along with picks, for Damarious Randall and picks)
- Denzel Ward (Still on team)
- Chad Thomas (Still on team)
- Antonio Callaway (Cut by Browns in 2019)
Summing it up:
Since allowing the Eagles to acquire their #2 pick in 2016, the Browns ended up having trial and error with a laundry list of names. Evidently, after many more minor moves, they only have two of those players left on their team. Denzel Ward and Chad Thomas both look like promising players, but neither will ever live up to the impact of Carson Wentz for their team.
Trading Up in 2020:
Howie Roseman is not just a cap wizard, but he is a trade wizard. With the draft Thursday night, he should definitely be looking for a trade involving his first-round pick.
With the additional fourth-round pick he acquired in the Browns’ trade, he used that to trade up as well. He may have picked Donnell Pumphrey with that pick, but that’s besides the point. The point is that he is not afraid to move up to get the guy he wants, and his senses have proved to be right most of the time.
Howie Roseman proved that he made the right choice in 2016, and Eagles’ fans should have faith he will make the right move in 2020 if he decides to trade up.
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
