Oakland sent New England a 2011 seventh-round pick and a 2012…
Oakland sent New England a 2011 seventh-round pick and a 2012 second-rounder for picks 92 and 125 in 2011. The Raiders selected Joe Barksdale and Taiwan Jones; New England later used the future second on Tavon Wilson. Jones became a durable special teams player, while Barksdale's best starting years came after leaving Oakland. Wilson gave the Patriots useful defensive and special teams snaps. The results are close enough to remain essentially even.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 2011 3rd round pick (92nd overall, Joe Barksdale)
- pick 2011 4th round pick (125th overall, Taiwan Jones)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2011 7th round pick (219th overall, Malcolm Williams)
- pick 2012 2nd round pick (48th overall, Tavon Wilson)
Trade Analysis
This was a classic exchange between immediate draft access and future capital. Oakland wanted to add players in the middle rounds of the 2011 draft despite having limited selections, so the Raiders sent New England a seventh-round pick that year and their 2012 second-round choice for picks 92 and 125. Oakland used those selections on offensive tackle Joe Barksdale and running back Taiwan Jones.
Barksdale did not become the long-term answer the Raiders hoped for. He appeared in Oakland but was waived during his second season, then built a much more substantial starting career with other teams. Jones provided the more durable Raiders value. Although he never developed into a major offensive weapon, his speed and special teams ability helped him remain in the league for many years, including multiple seasons in Oakland.
New England's most important piece was the future second-rounder. The Patriots used pick No. 48 in 2012 on safety Tavon Wilson. Wilson was not a star, but he played four seasons for New England, started games, contributed on special teams and was part of a roster that won Super Bowl XLIX. The 2011 seventh-round selection became Malcolm Williams, whose role was limited.
The trade therefore produced useful but unspectacular returns on both sides. Oakland received two players immediately and got meaningful longevity from Jones, but Barksdale's best years came after the Raiders had moved on. New England gave up two 2011 selections and eventually received a solid rotational defensive back and special teams contributor in Wilson.
A future second-round pick is normally the most valuable asset in this type of transaction, and the Patriots did get acceptable service from it. Still, the difference in realized value is not large enough to support a decisive winner. Neither club found a cornerstone, and both extracted some practical roster value, making an even result the fairest conclusion.