No more first-round pick
The trade with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was an expensive one. They had to give up their first-round pick at No. 13 overall, which takes them out of the running for an elite wide receiver or high-end quarterback prospect.
That said, the decision to make this trade was an easy one for both Frank Reich and Chris Ballard.
“This was a big need for us and you have an elite player with elite character who fits our team, it was a no-brainer as far as I was concerned,” Reich said Monday.
Losing a first-round pick is never easy, but for the player they might have gotten there, Buckner is already a proven commodity at one of the most important positions on the field.