Los Angeles Chargers received 2010 5th round pick (146th…
Los Angeles Chargers received 2010 5th round pick (146th overall, Cam Thomas) in the 2010-04-24 exchange with Philadelphia Eagles. Cam Thomas became a durable interior defensive lineman and gave San Diego several seasons of useful work, so the Chargers did receive a legitimate player from the move up. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Los Angeles Chargers surrendered, the result supports Philadelphia Eagles Win and a C grade for Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers Received
- pick 2010 5th round pick (146th overall, Cam Thomas )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2010 5th round pick (159th overall, Riley Cooper )
- pick 2011 5th round pick (149th overall, Dion Lewis )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2010-04-24, Los Angeles Chargers received 2010 5th round pick (146th overall, Cam Thomas), while Philadelphia Eagles received 2010 5th round pick (159th overall, Riley Cooper); 2011 5th round pick (149th overall, Dion Lewis). The comparison is limited to the consideration controlled directly after the transaction. Later trades involving an acquired pick or player are separate moves, so they are used only to explain provenance when necessary and are not treated as extra compensation here.
Los Angeles Chargers Return
Cam Thomas became a durable interior defensive lineman and gave San Diego several seasons of useful work, so the Chargers did receive a legitimate player from the move up. The key question is how much useful football value the incoming side actually created through starts, playing time, production, roster longevity, or retained draft capital. That practical return is weighed against what Los Angeles Chargers gave up, with the scale of this transaction kept in proportion.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Riley Cooper became a productive starting receiver and Dion Lewis developed into a dangerous multipurpose running back. The pair created more total offensive value than Thomas provided for San Diego. The same standard applies to Philadelphia Eagles. A larger number of pieces does not automatically mean a better trade; the quality and durability of the return matter more than raw asset count. That keeps the evaluation centered on realized value rather than on the appearance of the package at the moment of the deal.
Value in Hindsight
San Diego moved Nos.159 and a 2011 fifth-rounder to Philadelphia for No.146 Cam Thomas. Thomas became a durable NFL nose tackle, but Philadelphia's return produced Riley Cooper and Dion Lewis, two substantial offensive contributors. The Eagles captured the stronger realized package. The direct exchange is sufficiently documented to make a firm hindsight judgment. The grades reflect the difference between what each side received and what those assets ultimately became for the clubs, while avoiding credit for unrelated transactions that occurred later.
Final Verdict
Los Angeles Chargers receives a C and Philadelphia Eagles receives a B. The verdict is Philadelphia Eagles Win. This result reflects the direct package, the value each team actually realized, and the modest or substantial separation created by those outcomes.