Miami traded cornerback Travis Daniels to Cleveland for the…
Miami traded cornerback Travis Daniels to Cleveland for the 2009 seventh-round pick that became linebacker J.D. Folsom. Daniels appeared in seven games and made one start for the Browns in 2008, while Folsom played only two regular-season games for Miami as a rookie. Both returns were small, but Cleveland obtained the more substantial direct service from its acquired player. The Browns take a narrow low-level win, C-minus to D-minus.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Travis Daniels
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2009 seventh-round pick (214th overall, J.D. Folsom)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On August 20, 2008, Miami sent cornerback Travis Daniels to Cleveland for a future draft choice. The downstream identity is now supportable: the pick was Cleveland's 2009 seventh-round selection, No. 214, and Miami used it on linebacker J.D. Folsom. The structured asset and canonical key both identify the 2009 seventh-round selection at No. 214, used on J.D. Folsom.
Cleveland Browns Return
Cleveland received Daniels, a former Dolphins starter who became a reserve cornerback for the Browns. He appeared in seven games during the 2008 season and made one start. He did not intercept a pass and was not retained as a long-term starter, so the return was limited, but Cleveland did receive actual defensive game service from the player it acquired.
Miami Dolphins Return
Miami turned the pick into Folsom in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. His Dolphins tenure was even smaller. Folsom appeared in two regular-season games, made no starts, and was credited with one special-teams tackle. He did not develop into a sustained defensive contributor for Miami. The pick therefore has a concrete outcome, but that outcome was minimal.
Value in Hindsight
This is not a meaningful franchise-shaping trade on either side. The comparison is simply seven games and one start from Daniels against two games and almost no defensive production from Folsom. Cleveland's return was modest, yet it was still more usable than what Miami ultimately realized from the acquired selection.
Final Verdict
Cleveland wins narrowly with a C-minus grade, while Miami receives D-minus. The grade separation stays small because Daniels' Browns tenure was brief, but the receiving-team outcomes are clear enough to move the trade away from an even result.