NFL
Premium Player Analysis
• player profiles
• fantasy projections
• printer-friendly tip sheets
Trade Details
STEELERS DEAL FOR D-BACK BOYKIN Saturday, August 1, 2015
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired cornerback/safety Brandon Boykin from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional 5th-round draft pick in 2016.
What does it give the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Boykin has stellar talent and joins a Steelers secondary that needs his tools. He has the ability to play either corner or safety, but will likely start at cornerback (with either William Gay or Cortez Allen taking on slightly lesser role). Boykin's salary isn't hefty (about $1.5 million) so this is a steal talent-wise for Pittsburgh.
What does it give the Philadelphia Eagles?
There were ongoing rumblings in Philly that Boykin wasn't an altogether happy camper, so the Eagles move him here and likely give a promotion in the rotation to rookie Eric Rowe. The draft pick the Eagles receive here isn't proportional to Boykin's talent, but at least the Eagles resolve a potential clubhouse chemistry issue and save some money in the bargain.
Fantasy Impact
Boykin is much more a factor in real-life football than in the fantasy game, so should probably be avoided in most leagues featuring Individual Defensive Players / defensive backs. On the Philly side of the swap, Rowe is a rookie so probably doesn't make the cut--yet--as a sleeper for '15.
Player Focus

to Pittsburgh Steelers

to Philadelphia Eagles
conditional 5th-round draft pick in 2016