Detroit Lions received 2019 3rd round pick (88th overall…
Detroit Lions received 2019 3rd round pick (88th overall subsequently traded, Cody Barton) in the exchange with Philadelphia Eagles. Detroit used the acquired third-round slot in a move up for Will Harris, who went on to appear in 81 Lions games with 40 starts. Against Philadelphia Eagles' return of Golden Tate, that outcome supports a B+ grade. The transaction is judged as Detroit Lions Win, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2019 3rd round pick (88th overall subsequently traded, Cody Barton )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Golden Tate
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles completed this transaction on 2018-10-30. Detroit Lions received 2019 3rd round pick (88th overall subsequently traded, Cody Barton), while Philadelphia Eagles received Golden Tate. The historical record supports the core package, so the fairest comparison is the football value each side actually realized after the exchange.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit used the acquired third-round slot in a move up for Will Harris, who went on to appear in 81 Lions games with 40 starts. That outcome supports the B+ grade assigned to Detroit Lions. The mark gives credit for value traceable to this deal, including playing time, starts, meaningful role performance, or the verified downstream use of a draft choice. It stays proportional to the size of the transaction instead of treating every acquired asset as equally valuable.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Golden Tate gave Philadelphia eight regular-season games, three starts, 278 receiving yards, and a memorable playoff contribution during a short stay. That outcome supports the C+ grade assigned to Philadelphia Eagles. The same standard applies here: realized production and verifiable downstream use matter more than the nominal label attached to the asset. That keeps the comparison focused on what the club actually received rather than hypothetical value that never became part of the return.
Value in Hindsight
Detroit used the acquired third-round slot in a move up for Will Harris, who went on to appear in 81 Lions games with 40 starts. Golden Tate gave Philadelphia eight regular-season games, three starts, 278 receiving yards, and a memorable playoff contribution during a short stay. Taken together, those outcomes explain the grade spread. A useful veteran can outweigh a low draft choice when the pick produces little, while a draft asset can win the comparison when it becomes a productive player or creates meaningful value in a later move. The margin here is scaled to the actual difference in team return rather than the reputation of the names involved.
Final Verdict
Detroit Lions Win. Detroit Lions receives a B+, while Philadelphia Eagles receives a C+. The grades reflect the documented exchange and the value that followed from it, with the final margin tied to the importance and longevity of the returns.