Philadelphia and New England swapped adjacent sixth-round…
Philadelphia and New England swapped adjacent sixth-round picks, with the Eagles moving from No. 194 to No. 193 for linebacker Brian Rolle. Rolle immediately started 13 games as a rookie and recorded 58 tackles across two Philadelphia seasons. Markell Carter, selected one spot later by New England, never appeared in a regular-season NFL game, giving the Eagles a modest but clear win.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2011 6th round pick (194th overall, Markell Carter )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2011 6th round pick (193rd overall, Brian Rolle)
Trade Analysis
Why the Picks Were Swapped
Late in the 2011 draft, Philadelphia and New England exchanged adjacent sixth-round selections. The Eagles acquired No. 193 and used it on Ohio State linebacker Brian Rolle, while the Patriots received No. 194 and selected Central Arkansas linebacker Markell Carter. With only one draft slot separating the teams, the transaction carried almost no capital risk.
What Philadelphia Received
Rolle earned a real defensive role immediately. As a rookie he played all 16 games, started 13 and finished with 54 combined tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble-return touchdown. His stay in Philadelphia was brief—he appeared in only four games in 2012—but he still delivered a season of meaningful starting snaps from the sixth round.
What New England Received
Carter was a developmental prospect with intriguing size, but he never appeared in a regular-season NFL game. New England carried him through portions of the offseason and practice environment, yet the pick did not become on-field production. That makes the comparison unusually simple despite the tiny cost of the trade.
Why This Trade Still Matters
Not every win needs a major grade spread. Philadelphia did not uncover a long-term star, and Rolle's career was short. The point is that the Eagles paid essentially nothing in draft position and received a rookie starter, while New England's selection never reached the field in a regular-season game.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia Eagles Win. The Eagles earn a C+ because Rolle provided one useful starting season but little longevity. New England receives a D+ because Carter produced no regular-season playing value. The transaction remains minor in scale, but the better outcome belongs clearly to Philadelphia.