Carolina wanted Appalachian State star Armanti Edwards badly…
Carolina wanted Appalachian State star Armanti Edwards badly enough to surrender its 2011 second-round pick for New England's No. 89 selection in 2010. Edwards never found a stable offensive role and finished his Panthers tenure primarily as a returner with minimal scrimmage production. New England used the future pick at No. 33 on Ras-I Dowling, whose career was also derailed by injuries. Both selections disappointed, but New England still gained more draft value and deserves the slight edge.
Carolina Panthers Received
- pick 2010 3rd round pick (89th overall, Armanti Edwards )
New England Patriots Received
- pick 2011 2nd round pick (33rd overall, Ras-I Dowling)
Trade Analysis
Carolina's 2010 roster was short on draft capital after earlier trades, but general manager Marty Hurney still made an aggressive move for Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, whom the Panthers planned to convert into a receiver and return specialist. Carolina sent its 2011 second-round pick to New England for the 89th selection and chose Edwards in the third round.
The cost became painful almost immediately because Carolina collapsed to 2-14 in 2010. The future second-rounder therefore became the 33rd overall pick, nearly first-round territory. Edwards never produced enough to justify that premium. He appeared in 41 games for Carolina but caught only five passes for 121 yards, while most of his work came in the return game. He was waived during the 2013 season.
New England won the value exchange on paper by turning No. 89 into No. 33, but the Patriots failed to cash in. They selected Virginia cornerback Ras-I Dowling, whose career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries. Dowling appeared in only 12 games over two Patriots seasons and never became a regular starter. The enormous difference between the expected value of pick 33 and Dowling's actual contribution prevents New England from receiving a strong grade.
This is less a story of one team fleecing another than of two clubs failing to convert their chosen asset into much NFL value. Carolina deserves a D- because it paid a future premium selection for a player who never developed into a regular offensive contributor. New England receives a D+ because the trade itself improved its draft position dramatically, even though the selected player also failed. The Patriots get the narrow verdict on asset value, not on player success.