Philadelphia sent Detroit the 137th pick in the 1999 draft…
Philadelphia sent Detroit the 137th pick in the 1999 draft and received the Lions’ 2000 fourth-rounder, No. 111. Detroit used the immediate choice on Tyree Talton, who played only 12 NFL games. Philadelphia later flipped No. 111 to San Diego for a 2001 third-round pick and selected Derrick Burgess, turning a fifth-rounder into a productive pass rusher and a much stronger long-term return.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 1999 5th round pick (137th overall, Tyree Talton)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2000 4th round pick (111th overall; subsequently traded to San Diego)
Trade Analysis
Why Philadelphia Preferred Future Value
The Eagles were beginning Andy Reid’s first draft and chose patience over an immediate fifth-round selection. Philadelphia sent No. 137 to Detroit for the Lions’ fourth-round pick the following year, No. 111. That was a straightforward bet that moving up a round in exchange for waiting one season would create more value. Detroit took the opposite approach and used the immediate pick on defensive back Tyree Talton.
What the Two Picks Became
Talton played 12 games for Detroit in 1999 and did not appear in another NFL season. Philadelphia did not simply use the future fourth-rounder on the player eventually selected at No. 111. The Eagles’ own trade history shows they sent that choice to San Diego for a 2001 third-round pick. Philadelphia then used No. 63 in 2001 on defensive end Derrick Burgess, who recorded 52 career sacks and later made two Pro Bowls.
How the Value Compounded
The key is to follow the asset rather than credit Philadelphia with Trevor Gaylor, whom San Diego selected after acquiring No. 111. The Eagles turned a 1999 fifth-round pick into a 2000 fourth-rounder, then into a 2001 third-rounder. Burgess gave Philadelphia useful production, including 8.5 regular-season sacks across his Eagles tenure and four playoff sacks. Detroit’s return ended after Talton’s lone NFL season.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win. The Eagles earn an A- for converting a fifth-round choice into a higher future asset and ultimately into Derrick Burgess. Detroit receives a D+ because Talton provided only 12 games and no lasting value. This is a strong example of patient draft-capital management producing a clearly superior football outcome.