Cleveland ultimately received the 2022 seventh-round…
Cleveland ultimately received the 2022 seventh-round selection at No. 223 and used it on Isaiah Thomas. Thomas appeared in 10 Browns games in 2022, recorded one sack, and made no starts. That gave Cleveland some reserve defensive-line value, but the contribution was limited and did not match the quarterback starts Detroit received from David Blough.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 2022 7th round pick (223rd overall, Isaiah Thomas )
Detroit Lions Received
- pick David Blough and 2022 7th round pick (234th overall; later included in Detroit's Trinity Benson transaction with Denver; Denver then traded it to Green Bay, which selected Jonathan Ford )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2019-08-30, Cleveland Browns received 2022 7th round pick (223rd overall, Isaiah Thomas), while Detroit Lions received David Blough and 2022 7th round pick (234th overall; later included in Detroit's Trinity Benson transaction with Denver; Denver then traded it to Green Bay, which selected Jonathan Ford). The evaluation follows the value actually created by the consideration each club controlled, while later transactions involving an acquired pick are treated as separate provenance rather than automatically credited back to this deal.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland ultimately received the 2022 seventh-round selection at No. 223 and used it on Isaiah Thomas. Thomas appeared in 10 Browns games in 2022, recorded one sack, and made no starts. That gave Cleveland some reserve defensive-line value, but the contribution was limited and did not match the quarterback starts Detroit received from David Blough.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit acquired David Blough plus the later No. 234 seventh-round asset. Blough made five starts as a rookie in 2019 and remained with the Lions for three seasons, giving Detroit useful emergency quarterback value at a premium position. The later pick was moved again in a separate transaction, so Blough's direct playing contribution is the clearest reason Detroit wins the exchange.
Value in Hindsight
The 2019 trade ultimately resolved to David Blough plus No. 234 for No. 223. Blough made five starts for Detroit as a rookie and stayed with the club for three seasons. Cleveland used No. 223 on Isaiah Thomas, who played 10 Browns games in 2022 with one sack and no starts. Detroit's quarterback starts created the more useful direct return, while the later movement of No. 234 remains provenance rather than extra Detroit player credit. The comparison is therefore based on direct club service, starting responsibility, production, and the practical value of any retained draft capital, without overstating downstream moves that required additional consideration.
Final Verdict
Cleveland Browns receives a C and Detroit Lions receives a B-. The verdict is Detroit Lions Win. The grade spread reflects the modest scale of the original transaction while still recognizing which side produced the stronger realized football return.