Miami sent a 2005 second-round pick to Philadelphia for…
Miami sent a 2005 second-round pick to Philadelphia for quarterback A.J. Feeley, betting that his promising relief work behind Donovan McNabb could translate into a starting role. Feeley started eight games for the 2004 Dolphins, threw more interceptions than touchdowns, and was traded away the next season. Philadelphia turned the pick into receiver Reggie Brown and clearly extracted more lasting value.
Miami Dolphins Received
- player A.J. Feeley
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2005 2nd round pick (35th overall, Reggie Brown )
Trade Analysis
Philadelphia sold high on A.J. Feeley after he had flashed in limited duty behind Donovan McNabb. Miami was searching for a quarterback answer and paid a future second-round pick, a substantial price for a player with only a handful of meaningful NFL starts. The gamble did not stabilize the Dolphins. Feeley appeared in 11 games in 2004, started eight, and finished the season with more interceptions than touchdown passes as Miami collapsed to 4-12. He was gone the following October, when the Dolphins sent him and another pick to San Diego for Cleo Lemon.
The Eagles, meanwhile, preserved the value of an expendable backup and collected the 35th selection in the 2005 draft. Philadelphia used it on Reggie Brown, who never became a star but provided several useful seasons, including 816 receiving yards in 2006 and 780 in 2007. Brown gave the Eagles far more controlled, inexpensive service than Miami received from Feeley.
The deal also illustrates the danger of paying starter-level draft capital for a quarterback projection. Feeley's 2002 stretch had been encouraging, but Philadelphia had far more information on him than Miami did and still preferred the future second-rounder. The Dolphins were trying to solve the sport's most important position, so the motivation was understandable, especially with Jay Fiedler already viewed as a limited long-term option. The price, however, demanded either competent multi-year starting play or a meaningful resale return. Miami received neither. Philadelphia turned a former fifth-round selection into a second-round asset and then into a productive receiver. That combination makes this a strong Eagles win and leaves Miami with a low grade despite the reasonable logic behind taking a quarterback swing.