Miami moved down five spots in the second round and turned…
Miami moved down five spots in the second round and turned the exchange into Jordan Phillips, Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett. Phillips became a productive NFL defensive tackle, while McCain developed into a multi-year Dolphins starter in the secondary. Philadelphia landed Eric Rowe and JaCorey Shepherd, but Rowe lasted only one season with the Eagles before another trade. Miami extracted more useful roster value from the deal.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2015 2nd round pick (52nd overall, Jordan Phillips), 2015 5th round pick (145th overall, Bobby McCain ) and 2015 5th round pick (156th overall, Tony Lippett)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2015 2nd round pick (47th overall, Eric Rowe )
- pick 2015 6th round pick (191st overall, JaCorey Shepherd)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Philadelphia moved from pick No. 52 to No. 47 in the 2015 second round and selected Utah cornerback Eric Rowe. Miami received No. 52, plus fifth-round selections No. 145 and 156. The Dolphins turned those picks into defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, defensive back Bobby McCain and cornerback Tony Lippett. Philadelphia also received pick No. 191 and used it on JaCorey Shepherd.
Why Philadelphia Moved Up
The Eagles were chasing a versatile defensive back with size and experience at both corner and safety. Rowe immediately entered the rotation, appearing in 16 games and starting five as a rookie. The problem was longevity. Philadelphia changed coaches after the season, Rowe did not become a long-term fit, and the Eagles dealt him to New England in September 2016. Shepherd also failed to provide enough value to compensate for the extra selections spent in the move up.
How Miami Multiplied the Return
Phillips became a regular part of Miami's defensive-line rotation and went on to a long NFL career. McCain supplied even more Dolphins-specific value, developing from a fifth-round pick into a starter who could handle nickel, corner and safety responsibilities. Lippett contributed in the secondary before injuries curtailed his progress. None became a franchise centerpiece, but Miami created several usable roster pieces from a modest five-slot drop.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia's original idea was defensible because Rowe was a legitimate second-round prospect and later proved he belonged in the NFL. The Eagles simply did not receive enough of that value themselves. Miami turned the same transaction into multiple contributors and retained them long enough to matter. That combination of quantity and realized team value gives the Dolphins the clear win.