NFL Trade Verdict

Even Trade

Summary: Jacksonville traded the 76th pick (Melvin Fowler) to Cleveland and received Wali Rainer and the 79th pick (Rashad Bauman, later traded). Analysis: Moving down three spots and adding a veteran linebacker (Rainer) looks attractive on paper, but Rainer provided minimal impact in Jacksonville. The picks were close enough in value that the player add was the differentiator — and that player underperformed. This rates as a true even trade.

April 20, 2002 Jacksonville JaguarsCleveland Browns Confidence: high Tier: minor

Jacksonville Jaguars Received

Cleveland Browns Received

Trade Summary

Summary: Jacksonville traded the 76th pick (Melvin Fowler) to Cleveland and received Wali Rainer and the 79th pick (Rashad Bauman, later traded). Analysis: Moving down three spots and adding a veteran linebacker (Rainer) looks attractive on paper, but Rainer provided minimal impact in Jacksonville. The picks were close enough in value that the player add was the differentiator — and that player underperformed. This rates as a true even trade.

Trade Analysis

Summary: Jacksonville traded the 76th pick (Melvin Fowler) to Cleveland and received Wali Rainer and the 79th pick (Rashad Bauman, later traded). Analysis: Moving down three spots and adding a veteran linebacker (Rainer) looks attractive on paper, but Rainer provided minimal impact in Jacksonville. The picks were close enough in value that the player add was the differentiator — and that player underperformed. This rates as a true even trade. Cleveland moved up three picks from 79 to 76 to take Melvin Fowler, giving up Wali Rainer and pick 79. Fowler was a serviceable center for several seasons. Moving up three spots for a reasonable price is defensible.