Cleveland acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun…
Cleveland acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers from Detroit for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick used on Andre Fluellen. Rogers immediately made the 2008 Pro Bowl, started all 16 games and posted 76 tackles with 4.5 sacks. Bodden lasted only one season in Detroit, while Fluellen became a long-term rotational lineman, leaving the Browns with the higher-impact return.
Cleveland Browns Received
- player Shaun Rogers
Detroit Lions Received
- player Leigh Bodden
- pick 2008 3rd round pick (87th overall, Andre Fluellen)
Trade Analysis
Cleveland sought a dominant interior defender in the 2008 offseason and acquired Shaun Rogers from Detroit for cornerback Leigh Bodden and the 87th pick in the draft. Rogers had already been a two-time Pro Bowler with the Lions, but Detroit was reshaping its roster and chose to convert the veteran into a starting defensive back and a third-round selection.
Rogers made an immediate impact in Cleveland. He started all 16 games in 2008, recorded 4.5 sacks and 76 tackles, and earned another Pro Bowl selection. His size and disruption gave the Browns a centerpiece on the defensive line even as the team struggled overall. Injuries reduced his availability over the next two seasons, but he still appeared in 31 games for Cleveland and supplied the best individual season produced by anyone directly involved in the trade.
Detroit's return had two parts. Bodden started 12 games during the Lions' 0-16 season but was released the following offseason, so he never became a long-term solution. The third-round pick became defensive tackle Andre Fluellen, who was not a major starter but developed into a durable rotational player and spent portions of several seasons with Detroit. Fluellen's longevity gave the Lions some residual value after Bodden's short stay.
The Browns paid a reasonable package for an established high-end player and received a Pro Bowl season immediately. Detroit gained a useful depth lineman but did not find a comparable starter or premium asset. Cleveland therefore earns an A- for securing real impact without surrendering a first- or second-round pick. Detroit receives a C because Fluellen provided enough service to keep the return from failing completely. The Browns win on peak performance and immediate lineup value.