McNabb's trade value: high
What the Eagles really got for their quarterback.
McNabb's trade value: high
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
I think NFL teams over-value draft choices. Most people on the outside think they over-value draft choices. But the fact is, they do -- they all do, pretty much. And they all live their lives with one hand on a draft value chart, which assigns point values to every slot in the draft. There is some ongoing discussion about some of the numbers on the chart, but there is no disputing that everyone has a chart.
And based upon the chart, the Eagles did get the equivalent value of a first-round draft choice in exchange for McNabb.
People say they tried to drive too hard a bargain, that they insulted teams in the NFL by their stance and et cetera. I will say this: if the Eagles infuriated other teams it was because they did not make a demand. They are like that. They sit back with their arms folded and make you show your cards, and then they thank you for the peek at what you're thinking. In that way -- and it has happened time after time -- they determine the market for a player, and then they go about their business.
I think that's probably what happened here. And for everyone who said they were crazy to ask for a first-rounder, I repeat: they got one. When you take the draft value of the 37th pick and add it to either a mid-third or mid-fourth round pick, you come up with the combined draft value of a first-rounder. They could take those two picks right now and, if they could find an amenable partner, trade them for a first-rounder between about the 25th pick and the 30th pick. Both sides would see that as equivalent value on the charts that they all use.
Frankly, it's more than I thought they would get. And if I still have a hard time understanding why they would embrace the circus that will be Eagles-Redskins games for the forseeable future -- assuming McNabb signs an extension with the Redskins -- I can't argue with the value.
Thank you for pointing this out Rich! I understand the McNabb lovers lamenting the trade in and of itself, but I'm astonished by the people who are happy he was moved now complaining about the value of the deal. Perhaps you can update this post with some veteran QB trades over the year and what was involved. Favre brought a 2nd rounder, Bledsoe brought a late 1st- but he was 29 or 30 at the time of the trade. Montana was 36 but carried a pretty nice jewelry pouch with him to KC for a 2nd rounder. A high 2nd and a mid 4th next year was great value when put in context! Bring on the Kolb era!
Go Kolb, Go Eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Donovan. Can,t wait for the hoopla, the drama, the posts for next year's Skins games.— tommy_the_k- I still wish it would have been Vick but McNabb would not play behind Kolb. I agree Rich.
- andy reid scrooed all eagle fans— budda
- Makes the Redskins-Eagles a must have ticket, and probably a nationally televised game--exciting for an Eagles fan living in Chi-town.
- I agree that teams over-value draft picks. Look at the Eagles 2008 draft. With their 1st pick in the 2nd round, they got Trevor Laws. With their 3rd round pick, they took Bryan Smith. They gave up McNabb for a 2nd and a 3rd. Would they give up McNabb for Laws and Smith? No way. Draft picks are definitely over-valued.— mikeyhigs
- I agree Rich. Everyone asking for a 1st (See. San Fran etc.) was unrealistic. I'm okay with what they got, the Skins part is what I think many have issue with. Otherwise no problem. Let's see what the FO does with a #1, 2 #2's, 2 #3'2, and 2 #4's. Personally, I think they need to use the picks to fill holes rather than packaging them together and gambling on 1 or 2 guys. That and they better not think of trading picks this year for picks next year. Fans will go ape.— DennyP
This trade was all about AR screwing the Philly fan base. He wants the fans to be able to watch Dononvan play in the NFC East, and will probably go as far as throwing the two games against the Skins this year just so Donovan will be happy and people will "miss" him. What a freaking joke, making a trade so "the player will be happy."— thebigrocketboy- The good news is the Eagles now have 2 picks in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds in one of the deepest drafts ever. The bad news is Chris Gocong, Victor Abiamiri, Trevor Laws, Jerome McDougle, Matt McCoy, Winston Justice, Freddie Mitchell, Quinton Caver, Lito Sheppard and Todd Pinkston were all first and second round picks under Reid.— mikechris
- yo, rocket - you should read what you write before you hit the submit button. If you truly think it was all about AR screwing the fan base then you have some pent up anger issues. These are real people in the real world, not some characters in a video game. I have no problem with Andy sending Donovan to DC instead of Buffalo or Oakland. I can't wait to see the circus twice next year.— vafan
- Good riddance. No more balls thrown into the dirt, no more agonizing game/clock management, no more decidedly un-clutch performances.— Philth
- It is a little hard to feel like they got "value" when the Lions traded Roy Williams for a 1st and 3rd pick and the Eagles got a 2nd and conditional 3rd for a Pro Bowl quarterback. Washington offered Haynesworth, who would have made the Eagles competitive this year, but the Eagles turned that down. As an Eagles fan I want it to work, but it looks like more is at play here with the youth movement: Eagles want a cheaper payroll.— JohnFC
- vafan- McNabb has been coddled and treated with kid gloves ever since he arrived in Philly and now even as he's traded. If you don't think AR will take joy in seeing Eagles fans lament the loss of McNabb, you're smoking crack.— thebigrocketboy
- Draft picks are way over valued. It's a roll of the dice-you may get a starter, but it will take a few years and it's nowhere near a definite that the guy you get is going to last more than a few years and slowly fade away. We just have to accept that it's a rebuilding couple of years. I'm not a McNabb lover and he deserves plenty of criticism, but Kolb's not up to being an NFL starter yet (hopefully on that yet-we don't know if he'll ever be) and we have Vick behind him. Not very inspiring or hopeful.— donde
- Rocket, you might want to get that verbal diarrhea checked out. Seems pretty bad.— Phillies1120
