Eric Rowe to Patriots: Latest Trade Details, Comments, Reaction

The New England Patriots acquired cornerback Eric Rowe in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday in exchange for a 2018 draft pick.

The Eagles announced the trade after Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the agreement on Tuesday. The deal originally included offensive lineman Josh Kline heading to the Eagles, but Schefter later reported Kline would no longer be included in the deal. 

On Wednesday, Schefter reported the Patriots are releasing Kline.

Kline did not fail a physical, according to Tom E. Curran of CSNNE, adding that he "simply was removed from the deal."

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network noted that a source stated the draft pick is a conditional fourth-rounder in 2018 that could improve to a third. The pick will be determined by how much playing time Rowe gets in New England, per Rapoport.

Mike Reiss of ESPN provided the financial details of Rowe's arrival to New England, which Schefter reported has been in the works since last week:

The Eagles selected Rowe in the second round of last year's draft. The 23-year-old Utah product failed to make much of an impact despite appearing in all 16 games as a rookie. He registered just 31 combined tackles, five passes defended and one interception.

His versatility is what may have led the Patriots to trade for him, though. The team lacks depth in the secondary, and he's capable of filling multiple roles. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe pointed out his work at safety during his time with the Utes:

It became clear as the preseason neared its conclusion that his roster spot was in jeopardy. Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com noted last week that the corner didn't want to spend too much time thinking about his status, though.

"I can't say that. That is not in my control," Rowe said Thursday. "All I can do is do my thing out in the game like I did today, so I can't say yes or no to that one."

Now he'll head to New England, where he figures to start as a reserve corner, but his involvement could increase to include a more wide-ranging role by season's end.