Philadelphia acquired veteran tight end Jimmie Giles from…
Philadelphia acquired veteran tight end Jimmie Giles from Detroit for the 1988 ninth-round pick at No. 234. Giles gave the Eagles 40 games and six starts from 1987 through 1989, catching 29 passes for 377 yards and four touchdowns. Detroit used No. 234 on tackle Todd Irvin, who never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. That is a clear realized-value gap: Philadelphia received three seasons of usable depth, while Detroit’s draft return produced no NFL playing time.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1988 ninth round pick (#234-Todd Irvin)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Jimmie Giles
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Philadelphia acquired tight end Jimmie Giles from Detroit on November 10, 1987. The Lions received Philadelphia's 1988 ninth-round pick, which became No. 234 and was used on tackle Todd Irvin. The identified player and pick allow the receiving-team outcomes to be compared directly.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia received a veteran tight end who remained useful beyond the immediate stretch run. Giles appeared in eight games for the Eagles in 1987, then played all 16 games in both 1988 and 1989. Across his Philadelphia tenure he totaled 40 games and six starts, catching 29 passes for 377 yards and four touchdowns. He was not a star-level acquisition at that stage of his career, but the Eagles obtained three seasons of real depth and receiving production. Philadelphia receives a B-.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received No. 234 in the 1988 draft and selected Irvin. The selection did not turn into NFL production: Irvin is listed in Detroit’s 1988 draft class with no regular-season games. The Lions therefore converted Giles into a legitimate draft choice but did not realize roster value from the player they chose. Detroit receives a D+.
Value in Hindsight
The comparison is direct. Philadelphia got 40 games, some starting work, and four receiving touchdowns from Giles. Detroit got the opportunity represented by a ninth-round pick, but the selected player never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. The late-round nature of the pick limits how harshly Detroit should be judged, yet it does not erase the on-field separation.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win, B- to D+. The Eagles received modest but concrete multi-year production from Giles, while Detroit's selected player produced no NFL regular-season playing time. The grade gap follows those transaction-specific outcomes.