Houston moved up to 2014 third-round No. 83 for Louis Nix by…
Houston moved up to 2014 third-round No. 83 for Louis Nix by sending Philadelphia Nos. 101 and 141, which became Jaylen Watkins and Taylor Hart. Nix never appeared in a regular-season game for Houston, while both Eagles selections provided NFL snaps. Philadelphia did not land stars, but it realized clearly more usable value from the two-pick return.
Houston Texans Received
- pick 2014 third round pick (#83- Louis Nix )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2014 fourth round pick (#101- Jaylen Watkins )
- pick 2014 fifth round pick (#141- Taylor Hart )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Houston traded up during the 2014 draft to select defensive tackle Louis Nix at No. 83. Philadelphia moved down and received No. 101 in the fourth round and No. 141 in the fifth. The Eagles used those selections on defensive back Jaylen Watkins and defensive lineman Taylor Hart, giving the deal a clean one-pick-for-two-picks structure. Houston Texans Return Nix was the reason Houston paid the price to move up, but the selection never delivered regular-season value for the Texans. Injuries and roster turnover prevented him from appearing in a regular-season game for Houston. That outcome is especially damaging in a trade-up because the club surrendered two chances to add contributors and received no on-field return from the targeted player. Philadelphia Eagles Return Philadelphia did not uncover a franchise cornerstone, but both picks produced usable depth. Watkins appeared in 36 games for the Eagles and contributed in the secondary and on special teams. Hart also saw action for Philadelphia and provided defensive-line depth. Two players reaching the field is a meaningful success when compared with a higher selection that never played a regular-season game for the acquiring club. Value in Hindsight The gap comes from realized roster utility rather than superstar upside. Houston concentrated its value in Nix and received nothing in regular-season production. Philadelphia spread the return over two selections and obtained contributions from both. Watkins supplied the larger share, while Hart added enough depth to reinforce the benefit of moving down. The Eagles' return was modest in absolute terms but clearly superior to Houston's. Final Verdict Philadelphia earns a B- and Houston a D+. The Eagles won because the two lower selections became actual NFL contributors, while Nix never appeared in a regular-season game for the Texans. The result is not an elite Philadelphia haul, but it is a straightforward hindsight win created by diversification and usable depth against a failed trade-up target.