New Orleans sent the 34th pick to Cleveland and received…
New Orleans sent the 34th pick to Cleveland and received center Jeff Faine and No. 43, which became safety Roman Harper. Faine immediately stabilized the Saints' offensive line, while Harper became a two-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl XLIV champion and long-time defensive leader. Cleveland used No. 34 on linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, who developed into a tackling machine and franchise cornerstone, making this a genuine win-win exchange.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 2006 2nd round pick (34th overall, D'Qwell Jackson)
New Orleans Saints Received
- player Jeff Faine
- pick 2006 2nd round pick (43rd overall, Roman Harper)
Trade Analysis
New Orleans and Cleveland approached the early second round of the 2006 draft with different needs and created one of the better win-win trades of that weekend. The Saints sent the 34th selection to the Browns and received veteran center Jeff Faine plus the 43rd pick. Cleveland used No. 34 on Maryland linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, while New Orleans selected Alabama safety Roman Harper at No. 43.
Faine immediately helped a Saints offense undergoing a complete transformation with Sean Payton and Drew Brees. He started all 16 games in 2006 as New Orleans reached the NFC Championship Game, then started 14 more in 2007 before signing with Tampa Bay. His Saints stay was short, but he supplied stability at center during the most important turnaround season in franchise history.
Harper made the deal much more valuable for New Orleans. He became a long-term starter, earned two Pro Bowl selections and played a central role on the 2009 team that won Super Bowl XLIV. During his first Saints stint, Harper started 104 regular-season games and developed into an aggressive box safety whose blitzing and run support fit Gregg Williams's defense. He later returned to New Orleans to finish his career and became one of the franchise's recognized defensive figures.
Cleveland's side was equally successful. Jackson became the heart of the Browns' defense, topping 100 tackles in multiple seasons and remaining with the organization through 2013. Despite missing significant time with injuries in 2009 and 2010, he returned to lead the NFL in combined tackles in 2011 and continued as a productive every-down linebacker. He ultimately played 141 NFL games with 140 starts and surpassed 1,000 career tackles.
A simple winner label undersells what both clubs accomplished. New Orleans turned one early second-round pick into an immediate starting center and a Pro Bowl safety who helped win a championship. Cleveland landed a long-term defensive centerpiece with the pick it acquired. Both teams receive A grades. The Even Trade verdict here reflects two excellent outcomes, not a lack of impact.