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.
Comments (64)
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
- The 24 and 37th picks could get them an OL and DL. Then their 2nd round pick could get them a DB. So if they can fill those holes, so be it. #rd round could get a WR and the 4th round could get a project QB like Tebow or a small college sleeper to work on. I wish Donnie well but Kevin more good stuff of course. I just want Kevin to beat the Skins twice and have the fans happy at last.— KGKoons
- Philth, you are right instead we may end up with a 6-10 record and a QB that throws 20 Int's this year. While we sit at home and watch the Cowboys and Giants go to the playoffs. Maybe not but if I was a betting man you might as well flush this season down the drain.— bobf876
- Reid might enjoy seeing the fans lament McNabb, but if this trade doesn't work out how much longer is he the coach of our team? I think he should be fired, and not for the McNabb trade I wanted him to go and I am glad that he's gone, now we just need Big Red out.— LukeSaw07
- mikeyhigs: Nice point, but why don't you look at the bigger picture. Recent 2nd rounders include LeSean McCoy, DeSeaan Jackson, Kevin Kolb and Winston Justice. 3rd round is a little sparser, but they picked up Stewart Bradley in '07. So would you trade Mcnabb for Jackson and Bradley?— flyigglesfly
- If the Eagles got those picks from a team not in our division I would say good trade, but to send it to a rival we should have been compensated more. Bad trade for the Eagles. I'm excited about Kolb, but I think Eagles should have traded him to an AFC team.— ChrisM
- Reid was the problem, not McNabb— Tom5576
- Remember what a stir it caused when they let TO walk to the Cowboys? Think about how much easier this transition is to deal with than that one. And that situation worked out fine for AR and the Eagles.— keepitsimple
- "Good riddance. No more balls thrown into the dirt, no more agonizing game/clock management, no more decidedly un-clutch performances." Philth, agreed, and hello more ints! It's gonna be 1999 all over again. Hope Kolb turns out to be good though and not another Bobby Hoying!— ctfarrow
- -mikechris- the jurty is still out on Justice, he will probably be starting opening game. Lito was a pro-bowler unless you have forgotten that already but for the most part the 1-2 rounds picked by Reid have been busts. He has done better in the latter rounds though. They do have enough picks stockpiled though to maybe trade up into the top 10 and get a stud (hence why they were looking at Eric Berry).— ESFjellin
- I guess I shouldn't be shocked that a guy who can't spell Buddha thinks we got "scrooed". I am still "laffing"!— Girth Brooks
- Rocketboy, you can't be serious. If you honestly think AR is willing to sacrifice wins (and job security) in order to "stick-it-to-the-fans" you may be the one smoking crack. The job of AR/FO is to do what's in the best interest of the team. Any GM who makes decisions based on popular opinion will quickly find him or herself working at Wawa— TonyMicelli
- For those who think we should have traded him to the AFC or at least somewhere outside the division, you need someone who wants him to make a trade. Anyone who thinks the FO turned down a better offer must have bumped their head. Plus, the FO obviously feels his best years are behind him, so who cares if we play him often. As for Mikeyhigs; Definitely see your point but would you trade Donovan for DJax and Celek, or McCoy and Stewart Bradley? I would make that trade all day and twice on Sunday! And finally, Haynesworth is a $100,000,000.00 dollar problem.— Girth Brooks
- Draft picks ARE NOT overvalued. At least they're not if you're talking about a team that knows what it is doing. Championship teams are built on the draft, not trades and free agency.— p-diddy
- Reid, Lurie = LOSERS. Eagles will NEVER win the ring— Nezhy
- BOO— robinlupe
- Wow— worldfan78
- I think this will expose the coaching of AR - and prove if it was the player or the game plan that held us back from the championship - I don't think defenses are gonna be scared of KK running the ball - so take that away and hope his OL can give him time to throw. And don't forget to run block, too! That was something they did not seem to do well last year.— Tom Man
- Way to promote the Eagles' spin, Rich. So when does a second round pick and a next year third/fourth round pick = first round pick? When Joe Banner says so.— mike l
- Looking into this a little deeper, its pretty clear to me that the Eagles must not of thought Donovan had much left in the tank to trade him in the first place, but particularly because they traded him to a division rival. Can you imagine the Eagles doing any trade that would bring a division rival a superbowl (in a year or three) from a quaterback they stood by for 2 years too long, and from a quaterback that they could not win a superbowl with? It would be a terrible indictment of two things......the trade being a huge mistake.....and two, the management of the eagles would appear inept since they were unable to do the same thing with the same quaterback. In the end, this may all end up true anyway, but I doubt it. The Eagles got great value and I love the move. Bye bye Donovan. Enjoy vomitting on the Nation's Capital.— twelvevltman
- Rich, did the Eagles create the situation of having all 3-contracts expire at the same by design or was it poor management? Please comment. If it was bad mgmt., then who owns that responsibility?— lerze77
- Thank you Rich for a reality break for those who didn't think the Eagles needed to move on. The Redskins just got older and in my opinion more stupid. Eagle fans don't panic, did you forget the defense has practiced against Donovan for how many years???— hrlevine
- WAAAAH. THE DIRTY THIRTY BOOED ME AT THE DRAFT!— twelvevltman
- I feel bad for whoever they take at #37. The guy will ever have to live up to McNabb. At least it's not their first pick in the draft (famous last words). It's a great value pick to have--practically first round talent at a 2nd round price but I kinda hope they trade it.— thefadd
- Hey Rich how bout an article on why the Eagles are so jealous of the phils to make deals, hold pressers on opening day !!!— jimbeau
- You certainly can't criticize them for not getting value. I am surprised by what they were able to pry away, but then again, it was the Redskins.— jtj06
- who cares what the birds got..me...i get to prove all u wrong.. lonewolf reigns on philly.com...i am..my man..wolf~out.— Lonewolf10
- Hey there.."Rocket"..Boy, what in hell are you USING??? I thought Mc5 was worth two starting players (#2 draft pick PLUS a starter on "D".)Looks like I was wrong. And now the search will continue for the players needed to fix the "D" and the O-Line. Without that second player from Washington, I doubt that we will be too competitive this year. But it WILL be fun watching Mc5 with a coach that knows how to maximize a players strengths. My bet here is he signs at LEAST a two year extension with them.— TBear
- More than picks, the Birds got some fans interested again. Did you hear that Kolb news conference? He is wise beyond his years and feeling some excitement returning after several years of not really caring....but especially after what they did to Dawk.— greenflyer
- phils win, mcnabb gone, philly easing marijuana possession laws ... am i dreaming ?— gopherkiddd
- tommythek said it all. Let's go Kolb. Thanks Donovan. The Division just got real interesting.— tacklinjoe
- rocketboy the only one hitting the crack pipe is you. Honestly, you think AR traded McNabb to DC to spite the fan base? Bahwahahaha!!!! You think he had a big staff meeting with Lurie, Banner, and the rest of his minions to devise the best plan to stick it to the fan base that sells out the stadium every weekend and buys all the merchandise? Honestly, if you believe that, you are a stone cold moron!— downthemiddle
Comment removed.- And wait'll the Eagles' faithful see the mutt that Reid drafts with the 37th pick. Skeptical? Shall I list the kennels worth of dogs that Reid has taken in the 2nd and 3rd rounds during his tenure here? For every decent pick Reid's had in these rounds, he's had 3 other flops. Philly fans got what they wanted. Manga, baby.— green(withenvy)
- The Eagles brass laughs all the way to the bank everytime you idiots on this board pony up your $$ to buy tickets to watch their "gold standard." This team is not about winning the SB; only making money. AR is the most powerful coach in the league and has carte blanche to pull any stunt he sees fit, and if you think he's worried about job security, you're smoking crack AND popping X. He'll throw McNabb 2 wins a year and laugh while all of you whine and complain-- Big Red always has the last laugh. You nuckleheads are too dimwitted to see it. Hahahaha (that's AR laughing at you).— thebigrocketboy
- I always supported McNabb but it will be nice to avoid the typical "McNabb doesn't want Vick getting snaps", "McNabb's teammates don't like him" talk. Kolb and Vick will fit fine at QB.— davidjdeutsch
- it really doesn`t mean anything if they dont use that 37th pick wisely....the ultimate problem is reid tho....im glad donovan is gone but until big red goes, this team will NEVER win a super bowl...— DON17
Just wishing out loud, but I hope the Eagles somehow use these draft picks to move up and get Eric Berry. Berry = S problem solved- To me this is a bitter-sweet day. I was a HUGE McNabb fan for many years but I lost faith in him the last 2 yrs. Too many poorly thrown balls and bad decisions. I have been excitedly looking forward to McNabb being traded but now that it has happened I am a little bit sad. My best to #5— speedracer1
- Rich writes a good post here, and his analysis is top notch. The question is: does this move lead to a Super Bowl WIN. Did the Eagles pass on a player in 2007's 1st round who would have been a difference maker in Arizona in the conference championship 1 1/2 years later? I know you shouldn't cry over spilled milk, but for the Eagles, it has been a flood.— 76erfn
- JohnFC Williams was 26 McMope is 33 going on 34. How much can he have left 2-3 yrs? Williams(if he wasnt a stiff) would have 5-6 yrs. Hope u understand it now. Age my man age.
- Green(with envy). Eagles 2nd Rd picks McCoy, DJax, Kolb, Justice, M Lewis and Sheldon Brown. 6 of about 10 picks are/were quality starters. Whats the point?
- The "happy player" bit, in my opinion, was more about getting value. An unhappy McNabb would refuse to sign an extension and the Eagles would have gotten less. That's why, at some level, it made sense to take McNabb's "happiness" into account. I doubt it would have mattered if it weren't tied to value. At the end of the day it's a business. The same conference stuff makes those two games more interesting for sure. If you're ready to unload a guy, why worry about having to face him? If you're sure of your direction you shouldn't care.— s
- I think the Eagle's got excellent value for Donovan, particularly when you consider that they WOULD NOT pay two 1st round picks anyway. As was noted, that 37th pick is high enough to be combined with another pick to be equivalent to a 1st rounder...and how about this...combine pick 37(530) with pick 24(750) and pick a 4th round 105(84) and the Birds end up 1364 value to move up...we know they're not going to use all of those picks anyway. 1364 Value puts them around pick 9 value IF they can find a trade partner. Or better yet combine 24(750) with 37(550) and their own 3rd rd pick 87(160) and you you're sitting on 1460 trade value. Right in Eric Berry territory.— hope55
- Draft picks aren't over-valued. A quality personnel department has an outstanding chance of adding a starter with a 1st rd pick, hence the reason no one gives them up for old players. The NFL draft yields tons of players who will contribute a lot of minutes by their second season in the 1-4 rds. Football players do not play long and most position do not let experience and guile make up for a half-step loss in speed. Teams need young players to play and they do so draft choices are valuable. Old guys aren't.— UncleStosh
- The writer started out this article thinking logically, but any semblance of intelligent thought disappeared by the second paragraph. Yes, draft picks are overrated. Good point. Especially second round draft picks and especially when the Eagles organization is doing the drafting. That's why the Eagles needed to get an established player, not a second-round draft pick for Donovan McNabb. How many Eagles second round picks in the last 20 years have been anything more than mediocre? Very few.— Gnip Gnop
I am thrilled with this trade and wish DM great sucess against 'the boys' the 'grunts and no one else...thanks DM for the excitement and the HOPE for future sucess...johnnyu- The problem is Andy has designated himself as a draft expert instead of having a full time one in the FO. Howie Roseman is no expert. The team needs a GM like the one who works for the Colts. Let the coach win the games and let the GM get the players.— Drew777
- Rocketboy: you're a bit on the paranoid side (my professional opinion).— doc35
- I agree with Philth. No more balls drilled into the dirt, lousy clock management, and less than clutch at the end....and don't forget the air guitar. How many comeback drives did DM lead in the last two minutes of a big game? It is time to move on and give Philly a chance in the next few years to win a Super Bowl because it was never going to happen with McNabb. To the folks that think he deserved better you are mistaken, it is a business and he made millions of dollars in Philadelphia. He will be remembered as the guy that almost got us there but could never win the real big game just like Marino.— Jonny U
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