September 06, 2016
When the Philadelphia Eagles' 2015 season concluded, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that 2015 second-round pick Eric Rowe was a shoe-in to start at cornerback in 2016. However, after showing sloppy coverage technique and being slow to pick up Jim Schwartz's defense throughout OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and the preseason, Rowe had a drastic tumble down the Eagles' depth chart.
On Tuesday, the Eagles traded Rowe to the New England Patriots for offensive lineman Josh Kline and a draft pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Eagles are trading CB Eric Rowe to Patriots for OL Josh Kline and a draft pick, league sources tell @MikeReiss and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2016
The pick is in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, and it can become a third-round pick based on Rowe's playing time, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Patriots traded for #Eagles DB Eric Rowe in exchange for OL Josh Kline and a 4th rounder in 2018 that can become a third, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2016
A trade of Rowe doesn't make sense on paper, financially. If Rowe were to have simply played for the Eagles this season, his cap number would be roughly $1.1 million. By trading him, the Eagles have $1.36 million in dead money. The only way the Eagles were going to trade Rowe while taking that kind of hit would be if they got something worthwhile in return, which they appeared to do here by adding yet another draft pick, as well as a player in Kline.
Kline is a guard in his fourth season in the NFL. He made 13 starts for New England in 2015. However, don't get too attached, as the Eagles may be flipping him for something else, according to Schefter:
New Eagles' OL Josh Kline might not be in Philly long -- or at all. Eagles already in deep discussions to trade Kline, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2016
The Patriots' interest in Rowe makes sense, as he had an outstanding game against them last season. After watching the tape of that game, by my count, Tom Brady targeted Rowe 13 times. He was 4 of 13 for 37 yards, 0 TDs, and an almost interception. That would be a passer rating of 40.2.
Here are the Eagles 2018 draft picks, updated:
| Round | How acquired |
| 1 | Eagles' own pick |
| 3 | Eagles' own pick |
| 4 | Eagles' own pick |
| 4 | Acquired from Vikings for Sam Bradford. According to Albert Breer of MMQB, this fourth-round pick can become a second- or third-round pick, based on the Vikings' team success with Bradford. |
| 4 | Acquired from Patriots for Eric Rowe. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the fourth-round pick can become a third-round pick based on playing time. |
| 5 | Eagles' own pick |
| 6 | Eagles' own pick |
| 7 | Eagles' own pick |
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