The Eagles have traded linebackers Moise Fokou and Greg Lloyd to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for cornerback Kevin Thomas and a conditional 7th-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Thomas, 6-0, 192, appeared in nine games (five starts) with the Colts last season, registering 33 tackles and three passes defensed. He was originally a third-round draft choice of the Colts in 2010 but was placed on Injured Reserve as a rookie with a knee injury.
"This is a big corner that can run and he was with the (Indianapolis) Colts last year and he played some," said general manager Howie Roseman. "He started some games for them and has played some cover two. We think he can go press and is instinctive. We scouted him at USC and he'll come compete with our other corners and add competition to that spot."
"For us it was just about the value. They were looking for some linebackers and we also want to see more of our young linebackers so those guys get a great opportunity here. We just felt like it was a win-win situation for us and for the Colts. We'll get another guy. We are always looking for corners and linemen; that is something we will always be on the lookout for. Then the opportunity to also get a draft pick involved as well."
A native of Oxnard, CA, Thomas played collegiately at USC, where he appeared in 39 career games and totaled 89 tackles, three interceptions, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He earned second-team All-Pac 10 honors during his senior campaign.
The conditional 7th-round pick is appropriate, considering that both Fokou and Lloyd were 7th-round picks of the Eagles (in 2009 and 2011, respectively). Fokou, who missed the final five games of the 2011 season with a high ankle sprain, started 22 games (and played in 44 games) for the Eagles over the last three seasons. Lloyd spent the first 11 weeks of last season on the Eagles' practice squad before he was called up to the active roster. He never appeared in a regular season game.
Fokou was thought to be competing with Akeem Jordan and Keenan Clayton in the pecking order for the sixth linebacker (behind DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Brian Rolle, Jamar Chaney and Casey Matthews). The other linebackers still on the roster are Monte Simmons and Ryan Rau.
At cornerback, Thomas will compete with the likes of Brandon Hughes, Cliff Harris and Trevard Lindley for the spot(s) behind Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Curtis Marsh, Joselio Hanson and Brandon Boykin.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @EaglesInsider.
