Shaq Mason

Report: Eagles trade 2015 second-round DB Eric Rowe to Patriots

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:22 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The New England Patriots have made it abundantly clear that they’re not afraid to trade for struggling former high draft picks this offseason. The Philadelphia Eagles have also shown Chip Kelly’s selections don’t exactly fit what they’re doing now. On Tuesday, both narratives collided.

According to Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Eagles have traded 2015 second-round defensive back Eric Rowe to the Patriots for starting left guard Josh Kline and a 2018 fourth-round pick.

Eagles are trading CB Eric Rowe to Patriots for OL Josh Kline and a draft pick, league sources tell @MikeReiss and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2016

As a rookie last season, Rowe had his fair share of struggles. He started five games and recorded one interception, but he was burned far too often by opposing receivers. However, he does have a great deal of potential, position flexibility and the measurables to be an NFL defensive back.

At Utah, Rowe played both safety and cornerback, thriving at the former. It’s unclear where Bill Belichick will play him when he arrives in New England, but given the Patriots’ depth at safety, cornerback is his probable landing spot.

Kline, on the other hand, was New England’s starting left guard, according to the unofficial depth chart. He’ll likely be replaced by Shaq Mason, who started 10 games a year ago.

It’s a high price for the Patriots to pay, but Belichick typically wins in deals of this structure. Rowe gives him another chess piece in the secondary to move around as he wishes.

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