Cleveland converted Bill Cowher into Philadelphia's 1984…
Cleveland converted Bill Cowher into Philadelphia's 1984 ninth-round pick, No. 228, which the Browns used on wide receiver Don Jones. Jones never appeared in an NFL regular-season game, leaving Cleveland with no realized on-field return from the selection. That outcome supports a D grade for Cleveland, while Cowher's Eagles contribution supports Philadelphia's B- and the win.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1984 ninth round pick (#228-Don Jones (b))
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Bill Cowher
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Philadelphia acquired linebacker Bill Cowher from Cleveland on August 21, 1983, for a 1984 ninth-round selection. The Eagles' 1984 media guide identifies the date and consideration, while Cleveland's draft history traces that pick to No. 228 and wide receiver Don Jones. The surviving team records therefore allow both sides of the exchange to be followed to actual receiving-team outcomes rather than stopping at the abstract value of a late-round choice.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland received the ninth-round pick and used it on Don Jones. The Browns' official draft history identifies Jones as the player chosen with the selection acquired for Cowher. Jones did not record an NFL regular-season season or game, so the pick produced no realized NFL service for Cleveland. That makes the Browns' return a D-level realized return because the selected player never reached an NFL regular-season game. The opportunity had value on draft day, but its actual football outcome was zero regular-season contribution.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia received Cowher and immediately used him. The Eagles' 1984 media guide says he played all 16 games in 1983, made 33 special-teams tackles, added 25 defensive tackles, and was selected by teammates as the club's most valuable special-teams player. Career records show another four games for Philadelphia in 1984. Cowher was not a long-term building block, but the Eagles received 20 regular-season games and a meaningful one-year special-teams role from the player they acquired.
Value in Hindsight
The gap is clear because one return reached the field and the other did not. Cleveland's acquired pick became a player with no NFL regular-season service, while Philadelphia got two seasons of roster service and a team-recognized special-teams contribution from Cowher. The later fame Cowher earned as a coach is irrelevant to the trade grade; only his playing value for Philadelphia is counted here.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win. Philadelphia receives B- for 20 regular-season games from Cowher, including a standout 1983 special-teams season. Cleveland receives D because the acquired ninth-round pick became Don Jones and produced no NFL regular-season value. The supported transaction date is August 21, 1983.