Houston traded picks No. 19 and No. 75 to Philadelphia in the…
Houston traded picks No. 19 and No. 75 to Philadelphia in the 1993 draft to climb to No. 13 and select tackle Brad Hopkins. Hopkins became a franchise fixture, starting 188 games over 13 seasons and earning two Pro Bowl selections. Philadelphia turned the returned choices into Lester Holmes and Derrick Frazier, neither of whom matched that impact. The Oilers/Titans earn a decisive A to D+ win.
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 1993 first round pick (#19-Lester Holmes)
- pick 1993 third round pick (#75-Derrick Frazier)
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 1993 first round pick (#13-Brad Hopkins)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On April 25, 1993, Houston moved up six spots in the first round, sending Philadelphia the No. 19 selection plus No. 75 in the third round for the Eagles' No. 13 pick. The Oilers used No. 13 on Illinois offensive tackle Brad Hopkins. Philadelphia selected Lester Holmes at No. 19 and Derrick Frazier at No. 75. It was a classic draft-day quantity-for-quality trade, and the later careers make the value comparison unusually clear.
Tennessee Titans Return
Hopkins became one of the longest-tenured offensive linemen in franchise history. He spent 13 seasons with the Oilers/Titans organization, started 188 regular-season games and made two Pro Bowls. He protected quarterbacks through the franchise's transition from Houston to Tennessee and remained a starting tackle for the Super Bowl XXXIV team and multiple playoff clubs. That is exactly the kind of durable cornerstone a team hopes to secure when paying to move up in the first round.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia received two selections and therefore had more chances to create value. Holmes became an NFL lineman, while Frazier provided defensive-back depth, but neither approached Hopkins' longevity or importance. The extra third-round choice softened the cost of moving down, yet the Eagles did not land a player who could match the tackle Houston selected with the pick they surrendered.
Value in Hindsight
This is not a case where a famous name alone drives the grade. Hopkins delivered elite durability and long-term starting value for the team that traded up, while Philadelphia's two-player return never became comparable. Houston paid a meaningful but reasonable premium and received exactly the kind of outcome that justifies it.
Final Verdict
Tennessee Titans Win is decisive. The Oilers/Titans receive an A for turning No. 13 into a 13-year, two-Pro Bowl franchise tackle. Philadelphia receives a D+ because the additional quantity did not compensate for surrendering the best player in the exchange.