Back in 2016 the Eagles had to make a handful of trades to get the quarterback they wanted. After trading Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray, the team was able to move up enough in the draft to be able to give the Cleveland Browns the extensive package they desired and complete their climb to the top of the draft.
Ultimately, the Eagles acquired the 2016 #2 overall pick (Carson Wentz) and a 2017 fourth-round pick. That fourth-round pick (along with a seventh-round pick) was then traded to the Minnesota Vikings to move up for Donnel Pumphrey.
The Vikings decided to swap that seventh-round pick the Eagles gave them to the Washington Redskins. That pick was used on hybrid defensive back Josh Harvey-Clemons.
The Browns ended up with the 2016 #8 overall pick along with picks #77 and #100 in that draft. They also got a 2017 first-round pick and a 2018 second-round pick from the deal. Through a flurry of moves and trades with those picks the Browns were given, they ended up with 11 total players from the initial trade with the Eagles. Here's a breakdown of what each team ended up with:
Eagles
QB Carson Wentz
Wentz was instrumental in helping the Eagles earn the #1 seed in the NFC in 2017, which was a vital part of their Super Bowl run. Injuries derailed his 2018 season, but a successful 2019 campaign resulted in a division title. 2020 was his worst year as a professional, as he was benched after 12 poor starts. Still in just five seasons, he leaves the Eagles ranking among the top in all QB stats: T-8th in games played (68), 4th in touchdowns (113), 4th in passing yards (16,808), 4th in completions (1,562), 2nd in 300-yard games (19), T-4th in 4th quarter comebacks (8), and 6th in game-winning drives (9).
RB Donnell Pumphrey
Pumphrey was the fourth-string running back for the Eagles in 2017. He torn a hamstring in a September practice and missed the rest of the season, but still ended up with a Super Bowl ring at the end of the year. He ultimately never played a regular-season snap in the NFL, as he failed to make the Eagles roster in 2018. He played on the Detroit Lions practice squad for a month then came back to join the Eagles' practice squad. He failed to make the Eagles roster again in 2019, then tried to start a career in the XFL with the D.C. Defenders before COVID-19 shut that league down.
Redskins
The former college safety has carved out a decent career for being a seventh-round pick. He opted out of the 2020 season for health reasons, but in his three previous seasons he served as a backup at the linebacker position. In 35 career games he has produced 41 tackles (two TFLs), four passes defended, three QB hits, and 1.5 sacks.
Browns
WR Corey Coleman
Coleman was the top receiver selected in the 2016 Draft. His production has failed to live up to his draft slot though. He played just two seasons for the Browns before he was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He failed to make the Bills roster but was signed to the New England Patriots. He never appeared in a regular season game for the Patriots, but he ended up with he New York Giants for the second half of that season. He missed all of 2019 with a torn ACL and failed to make the Giants roster in 2020. He is now currently suspended six games for violating the NFL's PED policy. In just 27 career games, Coleman produced 61 receptions for 789 yards and five touchdowns.
OT Shon Coleman
Coleman was a backup in 2016 but became the starting RT in 2017 for Cleveland. He was traded to the 49ers in 2018 and has yet to appear in a regular season game with them thanks to injuries and an health opt-out for 2020. He has appeared in just 23 games as a pro.
QB Cody Kessler
Kessler started his career as a third-string quarterback but quickly became a starter thanks to injuries. He failed to impress in his rookie year though and eventually reverted back to third-string (inactive) duties. After two seasons in Cleveland he was traded to Jacksonville where he failed to make the most of his limited starts. After the Jaguars released him, he was briefly an Eagle in the 2019 preseason, though he failed to make the 53-man roster but eventually ended up on New England's roster. He is currently a free agent and has thrown just 2,215 passing yards and eight touchdowns to go with five interception in his career.
S Derrick Kindred
The safety spent three seasons with the Browns and was serviceable in a rotational role (played 51% of the team's defensive snaps in those seasons). He has failed to make a 53-man roster after the Browns released him following the 2018 season. In total, Kindred has played 42 games and registered 148 tackles (10 for loss), 12 passes defended, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
G Spencer Drango
Drago served as a versatile lineman for the Browns in his first two NFL seasons. He lined up in multiple positions in his rookie year while appearing in all 16 games, then in his second year he filled in at LT after Joe Thomas suffered a season-ending injury. He didn't play well enough though, as he was released before the start of the next season. He ended up on the Chargers practice squad in 2018 and was on the roster in 2019, but never appeared in a game. He is now a free agent with just 32 games played in his career.
WR Ricardo Louis
Louis was serviceable in his first two years in the league (45 receptions, 562 yards in 32 games), but injuries would derail his career. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2018 training camp, and after the Browns released him he suffered a season-ending injury before 2019 training camp with the Dolphins. He failed to make the Dolphins roster in 2020 and is currently a free agent.
WR Jordan Payton
Payton only has one more reception and three more yards than any person reading this. He finished his rookie season by being suspended the last four games for PEDs, and failed to make the Browns roster in 2017. He hasn't been invited to tryout for any team since.
S Jabrill Peppers
Peppers was one of the only picks that has worked out for the Browns. He played (and started) in 29 out of 32 possible games for the Browns in his first two seasons. The safety was then included in the trade package that brought Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns. He has been able to appear in 26 games with the Giants these past two seasons. In total, Peppers has recorded 304 tackles (19 for loss), 3.5 sacks, nine QB hits, 24 passes defended, four interceptions (one pick-six), four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
QB DeShone Kizer
Kizer was named the Week 1 starter for the Browns in his rookie season, but it was disastrous as he led the league with 22 interceptions. That was just the beginning of his journeyman career, as the 25-year old has already appeared on three other teams' rosters/practice squads (Packers, Raiders, Titans). In total, Kizer has appeared in 18 games and has compiled 3,081 passing yards with just 11 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
CB Denzel Ward
Ward is the belle of this bizarre ball. The #4 pick in 2018 made an immediate impact in Cleveland, earning a Pro Bowl nomination. Solid 2019 and 2020 campaigns cemented his status as one of the best cornerbacks in the game, and he will only be turning 24 years old this offseason, so the best is still ahead for him. In 37 games so far, Ward has compiled 143 tackles, 40 passes defended, seven interceptions (one pick-six), two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
DE Chad Thomas
Thomas' career has been pretty lackluster. After a limited rookie season Thomas was able to play a full season (and start half of it) in 2019. He produced just 26 tackles (six for loss) 4.0 sacks , and four QB hits. He was released before the start of the 2020 season and is currently a free agent. He seems to have an idea of what his after-football profession will be, as he reportedly a rapper and music producer. He has already worked with rap heavyweights Rick Ross, Chris Brown, and Young Thug.
WR Antonio Callaway
Callaway had a promising rookie season (43 receptions, 586 yards, five touchdowns), but by his second year in the league he was already facing two different league suspensions. He was released from the Browns for missed a team meeting, and suddenly saw himself on the streets. He started his football comeback in the XFL in 2020, and after the league was shutdown he signed with the Dolphins. He was suspended by the NFL for a third time, and is now signed to a reserve/futures contract with the Chiefs for the 2021 season. In just 20 career games, Callaway has produced 51 receptions, 675 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.
Conclusion
The Eagles probably would've liked to have another 5-8 years of the franchise quarterback they selected, but the main goal always was to get that first Lombardi Trophy in the trophy case. That Super Bowl win alone makes the trade worth it. Add on to it the fact that the Browns only got one or two starting-caliber players from this deal, and it shows that the trade was absolutely worth the steep price.
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