New York acquired Justin McCareins from Tennessee for the…
New York acquired Justin McCareins from Tennessee for the 42nd pick in the 2004 draft. New York acquired Justin McCareins and received four seasons of receiving production from him. McCareins was not a dominant No. 1 target, but he gave the Jets a substantial body of usable snaps and catches over multiple years. That level of contribution makes the acquisition defensible even though Tennessee ultimately received the better return.
New York Jets Received
- player Justin McCareins
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 2004 2nd round pick (42nd overall, Travis LaBoy )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New York acquired Justin McCareins from Tennessee on March 8, 2004, while Tennessee received the second-round selection at No. 42 and used it on Travis LaBoy. The transaction was modest in scale, so the fairest comparison is the football value each side actually received rather than the perceived value of the assets on the trade date. Team transaction histories and the downstream draft record support the core exchange, leaving the outcome to be judged on production and longevity.
New York Jets Return
New York acquired Justin McCareins and received four seasons of receiving production from him. McCareins was not a dominant No. 1 target, but he gave the Jets a substantial body of usable snaps and catches over multiple years. That level of contribution makes the acquisition defensible even though Tennessee ultimately received the better return. That body of work supports a B- grade for New York Jets. The grade reflects the actual contribution tied to this exchange, not the player's broader reputation or the nominal value of the original asset.
Tennessee Titans Return
Tennessee received the 42nd pick in the 2004 draft and used it on Travis LaBoy. LaBoy gave the Titans four useful seasons as a pass rusher and accumulated roughly twenty sacks during his Tennessee tenure. The second-round selection became a productive defensive piece, providing the stronger combination of longevity and impact. That body of work supports a B grade for Tennessee Titans. The result is measured against what the other side realized from the same transaction, with the size of the original deal keeping the grades proportional.
Value in Hindsight
This is a hindsight result built on realized value. Neither side should be credited simply for acquiring a recognizable name or a draft choice; the important question is what that asset became for the club that received it. In this case, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans produced different levels of usable football value, and that separation is enough to choose a winner without overstating a relatively small trade.
Final Verdict
Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans Win. New York Jets receives a B-, while Tennessee Titans receives a B. The winning side generated the stronger direct return from the documented exchange, while the other side still receives credit for whatever useful value it actually obtained. The margin is reflected in the grades rather than treated as a franchise-changing result.