By Budd Bailey, Buffalo Sports Page Columnist
No. 43: April 17, 2009 – The Bills trade Jason Peters to Philadelphia for a first-round draft choice in 2009 (Eric Wood), a fourth-round draft choice in 2009 (Shawn Nelson) and a sixth-round draft choice in 2010 (Danny Batten).
Jason Peters is one of the best undrafted signings by the Bills in history. A tight end at Arkansas, Peters had freakish athletic ability for a man his size. Buffalo eventually found a home for him at tackle, and within a short time he became an elite offensive lineman.
The problem is that such players often fall behind in career salary to their counterparts who were highly drafted, and they never catch up. Peters didn’t like that idea, and demanded a big contract. The Bills opted to trade him to Philadelphia for three draft choices.
The Eagles signed Peters to a long-term deal and haven’t regretted it. The tackle has been a regular in the Pro Bowl over the years, and he’s still playing in Philadelphia ten years later. Eric Wood was not a bad consolation prize for the Bills, but – to torture a cliché – great offensive tackles don’t grow on trees. Peters may wind up in the Hall of Fame someday.
(Follow Budd on Twitter @WDX2BB)
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