Lions & Eagles Fans Get Real, Roy Williams to Eagles Trade Not Happening

Recently there has been a rumor propagated by a few online sports sites (including yardbarker.com) about a potential deal that would send Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 4th rounder and Reggie Brown. Get real.

The deal, at least in it's current form, has almost no chance of happening, because it doesn't make sense draft pick compensation-wise. Williams will enter the upcoming 2008 season in the last year of his rookie contract, and after the season will be an unrestricted free agent. This means that if the Lions don't sign him to an extension (or don't franchise him), and he leaves to sign with another team, the Lions will receive a compensatory draft pick for his loss, which will most likely be a 3rd rounder (based on his previous production and the size of the contract he is going to sign). Reggie Brown has shown flashes of skill and mediocrity, but isn't exactly the hottest asset. If you can't crack 1000 yards receiving on the Eagles, who have no other dominant receiver, you're probably not going to become a difference maker elsewhere.

Look for the Lions to let Williams play out his contract, and if he has a stellar year this year (which may or may not be likely as 2007 1st rounder Calvin Johnson continues to emerge and take catches away from Williams) the Lions might slap the Franchise tag on him after the season. But barring a Pro Bowl-caliber year from Williams, look for the Lions to let him walk after 2008 and collect the 3rd round compensatory draft pick.