Baltimore acquired cornerback Fabian Washington from Oakland…
Baltimore acquired cornerback Fabian Washington from Oakland for the 125th pick. Washington immediately started 12 games in 2008 and remained a significant Ravens defensive back for three seasons, totaling 30 starts. Oakland selected receiver Arman Shields at No. 125, but injuries prevented him from appearing in a regular-season NFL game. The Ravens received several seasons of starting cornerback play and won decisively.
Baltimore Ravens Received
- player Fabian Washington
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 2008 4th round pick (125th overall, Arman Shields )
Trade Analysis
Why Baltimore Acquired Washington
The Ravens traded pick No. 125 to Oakland for cornerback Fabian Washington during the 2008 draft. Washington had been a first-round selection three years earlier and already possessed significant starting experience. Baltimore saw an opportunity to add a young veteran to its secondary for substantially less than his original acquisition cost, a classic buy-low move on established talent.
What Washington Gave Baltimore
Washington became an immediate starter. He started all 12 games he played in 2008, broke up 15 passes and intercepted one. He started 10 more games in 2009 before a knee injury ended his season, then returned in 2010 and made eight additional starts. Across three Ravens seasons, he appeared in 36 games and started 30.
What Oakland Received
The Raiders used No. 125 on Richmond receiver Arman Shields. Injuries derailed his chance to contribute, and he never appeared in a regular-season NFL game. Oakland therefore surrendered a corner who remained capable of starting elsewhere and received no game-day production from the selection. That creates a stark realized-value gap despite the modest round involved.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Baltimore did not need Washington to become a star for the acquisition to succeed. Three years of legitimate starting cornerback work easily justified a fourth-round cost, especially for a contender that needed dependable secondary depth. Oakland's attempt to reset the asset failed when Shields could not get on the field, leaving the Ravens with virtually all of the football value.
Final Verdict
Baltimore Ravens Win. Baltimore earns an A- for acquiring 30 starts and three seasons of secondary value for one fourth-round choice. Oakland receives a D because the incoming selection produced no regular-season playing value. The outcome is one of the clearer wins in this portion of the 2008 trade record.