Trade for Eagles: Whoa, how did the Eagles pull this one off? Instead of trying to pay Curtis Lofton or David Hawthorne, they get Ryans for a reasonable rate over the next 4 years, 26.1 million total. Hawthorne was ProFootballFocus’ 15^th ranked middle linebacker, Lofton 17^th, and Ryans 20^th.

Ryans will only be better back in a 4-3 in Philadelphia (he’s a 2 time Pro Bowler) and they got Ryans for roughly the same amount they would have had to pay Hawthorne or Lofton, maybe even less. Having missed out on Stephen Tulloch earlier in the day, this was a smart 2^nd alternative and it only cost them a 4^th rounder (as well as swap of 3^rd rounders).

Grade: A

Trade for Texans: The Texans might have cut Ryans if they couldn’t cut something for him so credit them for getting something for him, but you do have to wonder why the Texans, as good as they were last year, are fine letting productive players like Eric Winston and DeMeco Ryans go for next to nothing.

I understand they feel they have replacements on the roster (Daryl Sharpton will start at middle linebacker instead of Ryans) and they are pressed somewhat against the cap, but it’s not like they have any more major free agents to resign or are targeting any major free agents on the open market if there are even any left. It seems like they should have gotten rid of either Winston or Ryans not both (I would have gotten rid of Ryans over Winston because Ryans is less valuable to the Texans and had more trade value).

Grade: C