The 2010 Bryant McFadden Trade: Pittsburgh Got a Starter Back and the Pick That Became Antonio Brown
Pittsburgh sent a fifth-round pick to Arizona for Bryant McFadden and a sixth-rounder. The corner returned to the starting lineup, and pick No. 195 became Antonio Brown.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 2010 5th round pick (155th overall, John Skelton )
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick Bryant McFadden and 2010 6th round pick (195th overall, Antonio Brown )
Trade Summary
Pittsburgh sent a fifth-round pick to Arizona and received cornerback Bryant McFadden plus the sixth-round selection used on Antonio Brown. McFadden returned as a starter, while Brown became a four-time first-team All-Pro and one of the most productive receivers of his era. Arizona selected John Skelton, who provided some quarterback starts but could not balance the return.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Pittsburgh sent one of its fifth-round picks to Arizona during the 2010 draft and received cornerback Bryant McFadden plus a sixth-round selection. The Cardinals used the fifth-rounder on quarterback John Skelton. Pittsburgh used the sixth-round pick, No. 195 overall, on Central Michigan wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Why McFadden Already Made the Deal Useful
The Steelers knew exactly what they were getting in McFadden because he had already played four seasons in Pittsburgh and been part of two Super Bowl championship teams. His return gave the defense an experienced corner who could step directly back into a familiar system. He started during another Super Bowl season, so the veteran portion of the transaction had immediate value.
How the Sixth-Round Pick Changed Everything
The extra pick became the defining asset. Brown developed from a late-round receiver and return specialist into one of the most productive pass catchers of his era. He earned multiple first-team All-Pro selections, led the league in major receiving categories and gave Pittsburgh years of elite production from a pick acquired almost as a secondary piece of the McFadden deal.
What Arizona Received
Skelton did start games for the Cardinals and had some useful moments, which keeps Arizona's return from being empty. He never became a stable long-term starting quarterback and could not approach the combined value of McFadden plus Brown.
The Long-Term Legacy
This trade demonstrates why small secondary assets matter. Pittsburgh did not merely reacquire a known veteran; it also preserved a late-round lottery ticket and hit one of the biggest sixth-round jackpots in franchise history.
Final Verdict
The Pittsburgh Steelers Win verdict is decisive. Arizona received a quarterback who contributed some starts, while Pittsburgh received immediate defensive help and the draft pick that became an elite receiver.