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2017 NFL Draft: GM John Lynch Positions 49ers to Trade No. 2 Pick

By Chris Wilson

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes in front of Washington Redskins nose tackle Ziggy Hood (90) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes in front of Washington Redskins nose tackle Ziggy Hood (90) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Eagles Trade Up for Carson Wentz

The No. 2 selection in the 2016 NFL draft belonged to the Browns, who were interested in trading back even though they had a longstanding need at QB. Either they didn’t think highly of QB Carson Wentz, or they had a general policy against drafting first-round QBs — except with the No. 22 pick.

Over the past 10 drafts, the Browns have selected three QBs with the No. 22 pick of the draft, yet they have drafted no other first-round QBs since the turn of the century. If this isn’t simply an odd coincidence, it’s a “strategy” for Paul “Moneyball” DePodesta and his Browns analytics department to address.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who were under new management, wanted to move up from No. 8 to No. 2 to select Wentz. The difference in value between these two picks was 1,200 points, or an average first- and third-round pick.

The Eagles traded two first-, one second-, one third- and one fourth-round pick for the Browns’ No. 2 selection, and a fourth-round compensatory pick. The Browns received more value than the chart recommended, thanks to an extra second-round pick, a better fourth rounder, and a first-round pick that was above average in value.

Final score: Browns 3,325, Eagles 2,637. The difference of 688 points is worth a second rounder and an additional third rounder in value.