Arizona traded picks No. 58 and No. 89 to New England for No.…
Arizona traded picks No. 58 and No. 89 to New England for No. 47 and selected linebacker Daryl Washington. Washington started 53 games in four seasons, made the 2012 Pro Bowl and produced 18 sacks before suspensions ended his Arizona career. New England later turned the two picks into Brandon Spikes, Zoltan Mesko and a future second-rounder, creating useful depth but not matching Washington's peak impact.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (47th overall, Daryl Washington )
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2010 2nd round pick (58th overall subsequently traded, Ben Tate )
- pick 2010 3rd round pick (89th overall subsequently traded, Armanti Edwards )
Trade Analysis
Why Arizona Moved Up
The Cardinals sent picks No. 58 and No. 89 to New England for the 47th choice in the 2010 draft and selected TCU linebacker Daryl Washington. Arizona was paying a meaningful premium to secure a fast, attacking defender for the middle of its defense. For four seasons, that bet worked at a high level.
What Washington Became
Washington started 53 games from 2010 through 2013. He totaled 394 tackles, 18 sacks and six interceptions, reached the Pro Bowl in 2012 and earned second-team All-Pro recognition that season. His 2012 campaign included 134 tackles and nine sacks, rare pass-rush production for an inside linebacker. Suspensions ultimately ended his Cardinals career after 2013, sharply limiting the longevity of the return.
What New England Built From the Package
The Patriots traded No. 58 to Houston for No. 62 and No. 150, selecting linebacker Brandon Spikes and punter Zoltan Mesko. Spikes became a regular run-defending linebacker, while Mesko handled punting duties for three seasons. New England also traded No. 89 to Carolina for a 2011 second-round pick, later used on Ras-I Dowling. That final branch disappointed, but the overall package still produced useful players.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Arizona acquired the best player and received an elite peak, while New England spread its return across multiple assets. The shortened Washington career narrows what otherwise could have been a landslide.
Final Verdict
Arizona Cardinals Win. Washington's high-end four-year impact earns Arizona an A-. New England receives a B- because Spikes, Mesko and the future second-rounder represented legitimate value. The Patriots executed a sound move-down; Arizona simply hit on the premium player it targeted.