We learned earlier this week that the Eagles were considering trades for the No. 12 pick. If Philly finds a trade partner, it will be the third time that the No. 12 selection has changed hands (San Francisco to Miami, Miami to Philly, Philly to final team) … and that draft pick would join some (um) distinguished company.
Dating back to 1994, there have been 10 first-round picks that have been traded three times:
- 2019, 1.30: Giants (via Seahawks, via Packers, via Saints) selected CB Deandre Baker
- 2018, 1.22: Titans (via Ravens, via Bills, via Chiefs) selected LB Rashaan Evans
- 2016, 1.8: Titans (via Browns, via Eagles, via Dolphins) selected OT Jack Conklin
- 2010, 1.24: Cowboys (via Patriots, via Broncos, via Eagles) selected WR Dez Bryant
- 2003, 1.13: Patriots (via Bears, via Jets, via Washington) selected DE Ty Warren
- 2002, 1.21: Patriots (via Washington, via Raiders, via Buccaneers) selected TE Daniel Graham
- 2000, 1.12: Jets (via 49ers, via Washington, via Panthers) selected DE Shaun Ellis
- 1997, 1.6: Seahawks (via Buccaneers, via Jets, via Rams) selected OT Walter Jones
- 1996, 1.17: Lions (via Seahawks, via Oilers, via Raiders) selected LB Reggie Brown
- 1994, 1.7: 49ers (via Rams, via Colts, via Falcons) selected DT Bryant Young
I was hoping for some Kevin Costner/Draft Day shenanigans, but alas. For what it’s worth, that grouping above combined for 15 All-Pro nods, 18 Pro Bowl appearances, and five Super Bowl championships (sure, the player accolades were via Jones and the championships were via the Patriots, but let me have this). The majority of these first-round picks started as future compensation; if No. 12 is traded again, it’d surely set some PFR-official record for timing (the pick first changed hands on March 23).
What’s the most traded draft selection, regardless of round? Three selections have switched hands five times (since 1994)
- 2018, 7.250: Patriots (via Eagles, via Seahawks, via Patriots, via Seahawks, via Eagles) selected TE Ryan Izzo
- 2010, 5.158: Saints (via Jaguars, via Raiders, via Patriots, via Broncos, via via Cowboys) selected C Matt Tennant
- 2005: 4.126: Eagles (via Packers, via Panthers, via Seahawks, via Browns, via Broncos) selected OT Todd Herremans
I won’t review the accolades of that trio.
What can we take away from this exercise? Teams should consider hiring Sonny Weaver Jr. to break one of these records.
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!
Cool article & fact finding!
I would agree to a certain extent but an article on draft shenanigans really should feature the crazy antics that occurred during the AFL-NFL signing wars.
I think that’s a whole ‘nother article though, right? Would love to see it too.
About 30 yrs ago I read a book about the AFL-NFL signing wars although I can’t remember the name or author. It had some weird and wonderful anecdotes that included the Giants trying to kidnap Buck Buchanan so the Chiefs couldn’t sign him. Apparently the guy the Giants chose to babysit Buck got drunk and passed out allowing Buchanan to escape through a window.
“Anthony give me 5 minutes and then you can fire me!”
‘Hawks GM’s face when he was asked for the punt returner, Putney, Priceless
Good article, thanks for putting the work in. Must have been a very niche field to research.
It’s interesting to me that most of those picks ended up being decent to good players. Some not, of course, but there were some recognizable names on that list that had good careers. Would be interesting (likely impossible) to see if players picked with many times traded picks had any higher correlation with NFL service time.
That 7th rounder is wild. It was traded 5 times to the same Three teams haha
And as a palindrome… Eagles to Seahawks to Patriots to Seahawks to Eagles…
I thought it was an error lmao
And he did get a super bowl ring! Granted he was on the injured reserve that season, but he was a member of the team.
Interesting article, enjoyed the slight humor as well. Kinda wild how often some of these picks are moved.
Keep up the good work Ben!
Entertaining and fun article!
I thought I recognized the name, and sure enough, Herremans started 126 games at LG, RT and RG over an 11-year career, most of it with the Eagles.