Throwback Thursday: Eagles trade for second pick in 2016 NFL Draft
Looking at the current crop of quarterbacks proves the Eagles did the right thing in trading for the second-overall pick in 2016.
Certain moments in sports are known by a name. Just ask any fan of the Cleveland Browns. There’s “The Drive”, “Red Right 88” and “The Fumble”. Mention any one of those phrases to the most casual of Browns fans, and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. On second thought, you probably don’t want to do that. That may lead to bodily injury. It may be too early to say it now, but there’s a chance the Philadelphia Eagles may have added their own chapter to the continuing Browns story in a move we’ll now refer to as “The Trade”.
Almost one year ago to the day, the Eagles threw all their cards on the table and made a trade with the Browns that may end up being the move of the decade. Philadelphia received the second-overall pick and a fourth-round pick in 2017. The Browns received the Eagles’ first, third and fourth-round picks in 2016. They received the Eagles’ first round pick in 2017 and their second-round pick in 2018. The Eagles eventually climbed back into the first round by trading quarterback Sam Bradford. You are all very much aware of how things turned out. With the second pick, the Eagles took quarterback Carson Wentz.
A quick history lesson (for those that are unaware):
Philadelphia Eagles
This followed a draft-day snafu that happened about seventeen years earlier when, in the 1999 NFL Draft, the Browns, who at that time had the first overall pick, went with quarterback Tim Couch rather than drafting Donovan McNabb. The Eagles went with McNabb with their selection, and that moment sent both franchises in opposite directions.
Philly didn’t have to do anything on that day to get the best of the Browns, but let’s fast forward to the present. The Eagles are, seemingly, set at the quarterback position, and the Browns are now still in search of finding theirs. Some may begin to ask if history’s repeated itself.
What do the Browns do now?
Looking at the current crop of quarterbacks who are entering the league doesn’t seem to be exciting anyone. The Browns, who are again set to pick in the top slot, were once rumored to take the man many believe is the best in the draft, Myles Garrett from the Texas A&M Aggies. Now, it appears that isn’t as certain as we once thought. Cleveland may be set to ignore conventional wisdom yet again and go with a signal caller at pick number one.
Did the Eagles do the right thing?
Since the trade, many have asked if Philadelphia gave up too much, so let’s settle this once and for all.
In a league where you now have to be set at the quarterback position to compete regularly or have a shot at winning the Super Bowl, teams are taking the process of finding a franchise quarterback seriously. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots aren’t in the discussion year after year for no reason.
Philadelphia looked at the talent entering the league in 2017 and decided, if they were going to find their guy, it had to be last year. If that means they had to give up five picks to do it, they were willing to do just that. They absolutely made the right decision if Wentz is who we think he is. Now, they’ll just need to build around him, and they’ll need to add the proper pieces on defense. Who knows what they’re doing in Cleveland.