Green Bay traded picks No. 41, 73 and 83 to New England for…
Green Bay traded picks No. 41, 73 and 83 to New England for No. 26 and No. 162, then selected Clay Matthews and Jamon Meredith. Matthews became a six-time Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro and one of the defining defenders of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV era. New England received Darius Butler, Brandon Tate and valuable maneuvering room from No. 73, but nothing in the return matched Matthews.
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 2009 1st round pick (26th overall, Clay Matthews )
- pick 2009 5th round pick (162nd overall, Jamon Meredith )
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2009 2nd round pick (41st overall, Darius Butler)
- pick 2009 3rd round pick (73rd overall subsequently traded, Derek Cox )
- pick 2009 3rd round pick (83rd overall, Brandon Tate)
Trade Analysis
Why Green Bay Moved Up
The Packers sent picks No. 41, No. 73 and No. 83 to New England for No. 26 and No. 162 during the 2009 draft. Green Bay used the first-rounder on USC linebacker Clay Matthews and the fifth-rounder on Jamon Meredith. It was an aggressive move for a defender the Packers believed fit their changing defensive scheme.
What Matthews Became
Matthews rapidly justified the price. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, earned first-team All-Pro recognition in 2010 and became one of the central defenders on the team that won Super Bowl XLV. He ultimately made six Pro Bowls as a Packer and remained a premier edge threat across a decade in Green Bay. His speed, pass rush and ability to move around the front made him a defining player of the era.
What New England Received
The Patriots selected cornerback Darius Butler at No. 41 and receiver Brandon Tate at No. 83. Both became NFL contributors, though neither developed into a long-term Patriots star. New England moved No. 73 in another trade, creating additional draft flexibility and downstream value. That broader maneuvering is why the Patriots' grade should remain respectable rather than treating the deal as a simple three-picks-for-one miss.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Green Bay paid a real premium and still won because the player it targeted became elite. This is the ideal outcome for a move-up: identify a specific player, accept the cost and receive star-level production for years.
Final Verdict
Green Bay Packers Win. Matthews' six Pro Bowls, All-Pro peak and championship role make the Packers' return an A+. New England receives a B- for creating several useful assets, but none approached the impact of the player Green Bay secured.