Trade for Eagles:

I don’t get it. Sheldon Brown had at least two good years left as a starting cornerback in the NFL. The Eagles don’t really have depth behind him, as they’ll probably want to keep Ellis Hobbs as a nickelback, and now either have to draft a cornerback early, earlier than the 4^th or 5^th rounder they were given, or take Oakland’s offer of Nmandi Ashmouga for Donovan McNabb. If they do that, they’ll have basically traded McNabb and Sheldon Brown for Nmandi Ashmouga (who has just one year left on his contract, yet is still owed 15 million this year), 2 mid round picks, and a reserve linebacker. Gocong didn’t fit their scheme and I like that he’s gone, but the Eagles didn’t get good value here.

Grade: C-

Trade for Browns:

Getting two starters for two mid round picks and a reserve linebacker is brilliant. Gocong fits their scheme perfectly as a rush linebacker and can be their replacement for Kamerion Wimbley, next to Matt Roth. Brown can be their starting cornerback for at least two years. Instead of having to draft Joe Haden and Sergio Kindle in the first two rounds, they get solid, proven guys at the position who can come in and start right away, and they still have those two picks to use on other needs, like receiver, defensive line, and safety (Eric Berry). And, because of other moves they have made this offseason, they still have 10 picks so they can get depth guys at the rush linebacker and cornerback position.

Grade: A

Interesting trend, what’s with all of the veterans going for pennies on the dollar this offseason. Kerry Rhodes for a 4^th rounder? Anquan Boldin for a 3^rd rounder? Brady Quinn for two 6^th rounders and a fullback? Antonio Cromartie for a 3^rd rounder? Corey Williams for a 5^th rounder? Only the Browns, who traded Kamerion Wimbley for a 3^rd rounder got good value in return for a veteran this offseason, and that’s only because they were trading with the Raiders. If I was a team in the NFL who was on the borderline of being a playoff team, I’d look to build through getting a veteran starter from a team, rather than through the draft this offseason, because chances are, you can get a solid starter for a 4^th or 5^th rounder.