Detroit sent safety Gerald Alexander to Jacksonville for…
Detroit sent safety Gerald Alexander to Jacksonville for veteran receiver and returner Dennis Northcutt in the summer of 2009. The deal was a direct player swap with no added consideration. Northcutt supplied the Lions with a more useful immediate veteran return than Jacksonville ultimately received from Alexander, giving Detroit a modest edge rather than an overwhelming win.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Dennis Northcutt
Jacksonville Jaguars Received
- player Gerald Alexander
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Jacksonville and Detroit completed a direct player-for-player trade at the end of June 2009, with the Jaguars receiving safety Gerald Alexander and the Lions receiving veteran receiver and returner Dennis Northcutt. Jacksonville's announcement and the league processing record fall on opposite sides of June 30 and July 1, but the sources describe the same transaction. No second trade or extra asset belongs in the package.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit sent safety Gerald Alexander to Jacksonville for veteran receiver and returner Dennis Northcutt in the summer of 2009. The deal was a direct player swap with no added consideration. Northcutt supplied the Lions with a more useful immediate veteran return than Jacksonville ultimately received from Alexander, giving Detroit a modest edge rather than an overwhelming win.
Jacksonville Jaguars Return
Jacksonville acquired safety Gerald Alexander from Detroit for receiver and returner Dennis Northcutt in a one-for-one 2009 trade. The June 30 and July 1 source dates reflect announcement and processing timing, not separate transactions. Alexander gave Jacksonville defensive help, but Detroit received the more useful short-term return from Northcutt, leaving the Jaguars slightly behind in hindsight.
Value in Hindsight
The transaction was never designed to reshape either franchise. Neither club gave up a premium pick, and neither incoming player became a centerpiece. That keeps the grade spread modest. Detroit's edge comes from extracting slightly more functional value from Northcutt, while Jacksonville's benefit from Alexander was more limited and did not develop into a durable payoff.
Final Verdict
Detroit earns a B- and Jacksonville a C. The Lions converted Alexander into a veteran offensive contributor, while the Jaguars received a safety who helped but did not create lasting separation. The proper result is a Detroit Lions Win by a small margin, with the straightforward package and limited stakes preventing a more aggressive grade gap.