NFL Trade Verdict

New England Patriots Win

Acquired WR Deion Branch from Patriots for 2007 1st (#24 Brandon Meriweather). Branch played 4 seasons, Super Bowl XL MVP, but never topped 800 yards in Seattle. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired Deion Branch and gave up 2007 1st round pick (24th overall, Brandon Meriweather), with the available evidence supporting a D grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

September 11, 2006 Seattle SeahawksNew England Patriots Confidence: high Tier: standard

New England Patriots Received

Trade Summary

Acquired WR Deion Branch from Patriots for 2007 1st (#24 Brandon Meriweather). Branch played 4 seasons, Super Bowl XL MVP, but never topped 800 yards in Seattle. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired Deion Branch and gave up 2007 1st round pick (24th overall, Brandon Meriweather), with the available evidence supporting a D grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history.

Trade Analysis

Acquired WR Deion Branch from Patriots for 2007 1st (#24 Brandon Meriweather). Branch played 4 seasons, Super Bowl XL MVP, but never topped 800 yards in Seattle. The trade is best understood as a narrow roster or draft-position move. Seattle acquired Deion Branch and gave up 2007 1st round pick (24th overall, Brandon Meriweather), with the available evidence supporting a D grade rather than a stronger verdict. It should remain in the public database, but the analysis should not pretend it changed the arc of Seahawks history. Patriots turned pick into Pro Bowl safety Meriweather plus cap flexibility – good value for a player wanting new contract.