Jacksonville moved up for Brandon Linder and landed an…
Jacksonville moved up for Brandon Linder and landed an eight-year offensive-line cornerstone who started 88 games and became a five-time team captain. New England received Bryan Stork and Jon Halapio. Stork delivered immediate value as the starting center for a Super Bowl champion, but his Patriots tenure was brief. Linder’s much longer run of high-level starting value gives Jacksonville the stronger return.
Jacksonville Jaguars Received
- pick 2014 3rd round pick (93rd overall, Brandon Linder)
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2014 4th round pick (105th overall, Bryan Stork)
- pick 2014 6th round pick (179th overall, Jon Halapio)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Jacksonville moved from No. 105 to No. 93 in the 2014 draft to secure Miami guard Brandon Linder. New England accepted the move down and added a sixth-round selection, a classic Patriots approach built around accumulating picks while still targeting players later on the board.
What Each Side Actually Got
The Jaguars found a foundational offensive lineman. Linder became a full-time starter immediately, eventually shifting to center and finishing his Jacksonville career with 88 starts across eight seasons. The franchise also trusted him with captaincy five times. New England selected Bryan Stork at No. 105 and Jon Halapio at No. 179. Stork started as a rookie and was the center for the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX victory, an important immediate payoff. Halapio did not provide meaningful Patriots value.
How the Value Aged
Stork’s rookie season keeps this from being a lopsided result. A starting center on a championship team is significant, even if the career was short. But Linder supplied the type of long-term line stability that teams hope to obtain with premium draft capital. His value lasted across multiple coaching staffs and quarterbacks, far beyond the brief New England window created by Stork.
Why the Margin Matters
The Patriots extracted a real championship contribution after moving down, so their side deserves a strong grade. Jacksonville still wins because the central asset became one of the franchise’s most dependable linemen for nearly a decade.
Final Verdict
Jacksonville Jaguars Win. The Jaguars earn an A- for turning the trade-up into 88 starts and long-term leadership. New England receives a B because Stork’s Super Bowl-season role mattered, even though the overall return was much shorter.