New England acquired linebacker Tracy White and…
New England acquired linebacker Tracy White and Philadelphia's 2012 seventh-round pick for a 2012 sixth-rounder. White became a core special-teams contributor, played every game in 2010 and 2011, and even started Super Bowl XLVI. The Patriots also reused the seventh-round choice in the earlier Randy Moss trade chain, while Philadelphia's No. 200 selection, Brandon Washington, never played a regular-season game for the Eagles.
New England Patriots Received
- player Tracy White
- pick 2012 7th round pick (223rd overall subsequently traded, Travis Lewis )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2012 6th round pick (200th overall, Brandon Washington)
Trade Analysis
Why New England Wanted Tracy White
The Patriots acquired linebacker Tracy White from Philadelphia in September 2010, sending a 2012 sixth-round pick while also receiving Philadelphia's 2012 seventh-rounder. White was a veteran special-teams specialist, and New England valued exactly that kind of dependable role player on a roster built around situational depth.
What White Produced
White quickly justified the acquisition. He played all 16 regular-season games in both 2010 and 2011 and became one of New England's leading special-teams tacklers. The Patriots credited him with 18 special-teams tackles in 2010 and 14 in 2011. He also appeared in all three postseason games after the 2011 season and started Super Bowl XLVI when injuries forced New England to lean on its depth.
How the Draft Choices Developed
Philadelphia eventually used New England's sixth-rounder, No. 200 in 2012, on guard Brandon Washington. Washington never appeared in a regular-season game for the Eagles and later logged only one NFL game with the Rams. New England's incoming seventh-round choice, No. 223, was itself valuable as part of the broader pick movement connected to the Randy Moss deal and the 2011 selection used on quarterback Ryan Mallett.
Why This Trade Still Matters
The trade demonstrates how a specialist can outperform a draft gamble. White did not need to become a defensive star to make the deal work. Two seasons of reliable special-teams production and postseason availability were useful to a contender, while Philadelphia received no playing value from Washington.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. The Patriots earn a B+ for White's immediate role and the extra draft flexibility. Philadelphia receives a D+ because the sixth-round selection never produced Eagles playing time.