Eagles Trade 5 Draft Picks to Browns For #2 Overall Pick in 2016 Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles really want to draft a top notch quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft. On April 20th, they made a move that will ensure they will get one.

The Eagles traded their #1 pick (#8 overall), a third round pick (#77), and a fourth round pick (#100) for this year’s draft, plus a fourth rounder in both 2017 and 2018 to get the Cleveland Browns first pick in this year’s draft, the #2 overall pick, plus a fourth rounder in 2017. This is despite the fact that the Eagles have also signed Sam Bradford to a two year deal worth $35 million, and backup QB Chase Daniel to a $21 million three year contract. The Browns earlier signed Robert Griffin III to compete for their starting QB job, getting rid of the perpetually troubled Johnny Manziel.

This is the second massive trade of draft picks this month. Earlier, the Los Angeles Rams sent four 2016 picks (including their #1) and two picks in 2017 to the Tennessee Titans for the Titans’ #1 pick, which is the top overall pick in this draft, plus a fourth and sixth rounders. The object again was to ensure drafting a top quarterback.

The two quarterbacks believed to be the objects of the Rams’ and Eagles’ affections (or obsessions) are California’s Jared Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz. Goff threw for 12,195 yards and 96 touchdowns, including 43 in 2015, in three seasons at Cal. Wentz played four seasons at North Dakota State, a powerhouse among FCS schools. The Bison have won five straight FCS championships. Wentz played four years at ND State, and was the starting QB the last two seasons.

With all these extra draft choices, this is a great opportunity for the Browns and Titans to build for the future.