Tampa Bay sent Philadelphia the 116th pick in 2011 and a 2012…
Tampa Bay sent Philadelphia the 116th pick in 2011 and a 2012 fourth-rounder to move up 12 spots for tight end Luke Stocker. Stocker became a useful blocking tight end and spent seven seasons with the Buccaneers, but never developed into a major receiving weapon. Philadelphia got Casey Matthews at 116 and later used the 2012 fourth as part of the deal for linebacker DeMeco Ryans. The Eagles created the stronger overall return.
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2011 4th round pick (116th overall, Casey Matthews)
- pick 2012 4th round pick (99th overall subsequently traded, Ben Jones )
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 2011 4th round pick (104th overall, Luke Stocker)
Trade Analysis
Tampa Bay entered the fourth round of the 2011 draft looking for a complete tight end and viewed Tennessee's Luke Stocker as worth a small move up. The Buccaneers sent Philadelphia pick No. 116 plus a 2012 fourth-round choice for No. 104. Stocker became a durable member of Tampa Bay's offense, contributing primarily as an in-line tight end and complementary target over seven seasons. That longevity gave the Buccaneers a real return even though he never became a major receiving threat.
Philadelphia used pick 116 on linebacker Casey Matthews. Matthews struggled when pushed into a prominent defensive role early but remained with the Eagles for four seasons and contributed on defense and special teams. On his own, he would not have created a clear advantage over Stocker.
The future fourth-round pick is what changed the value of the exchange. Philadelphia later packaged that selection, No. 99 in 2012, in its trade with Houston for linebacker DeMeco Ryans and a swap of third-round selections. Ryans became an important defensive leader and productive starter for the Eagles. Houston ultimately used No. 99 on Ben Jones, but Philadelphia's benefit came from using the selection as purchasing power for a proven veteran.
That downstream use should be credited proportionally rather than pretending the Tampa Bay pick alone bought Ryans. Philadelphia also surrendered other value in that later deal. Still, the extra fourth-rounder materially helped the Eagles acquire a player who gave them more defensive impact than Matthews alone provided.
Tampa Bay did not make a bad move. Stocker filled a useful role for a long time, and moving 12 spots was hardly reckless. Yet the Buccaneers paid two picks for a complementary player, while Philadelphia collected a role player and a future asset that helped secure a quality starting linebacker. The Eagles therefore hold the stronger historical side.