According to an official team release, the Eagles have just traded reserve defensive end Chris Clemons and a 2010 4th round draft pick to acquire the Seahawks' Darryl Tapp. Here's the skinny:
Originally a second round draft pick of the Seahawks in 2006, Tapp (6-1, 270) has appeared in 64 games (32 starts) in his four-year career, posting 177 tackles, 18 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He totaled 49 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 16 games (five starts) in 2009.
Tapp's best season came in 2007 when he started in all 16 games and recorded a career-high seven sacks. That year, he tied a Seahawks club record for sacks in a game with four vs. St. Louis on October 21.
A four-year letterman at Virginia Tech, Tapp earned first-team All-America honors and was given the Dudley Award as the top Division I player in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He finished his college career with 187 tackles and 23.5 sacks.
According to multiple Twitter reports, this is the same 4th round pick that the Eagles received as part of the Lito Sheppard's move to the New York Jets. The Eagles have already signed Tapp to an extension, making it a busy day for the front office. All that remains now for the deal to be official is for Tapp to pass a physical.
This was yet another solid move by the Eagles FO. Although he isn't a superstar yet, the 25 year old Tapp has a huge amount of potential and is definitely an upgrade over the situational Clemons. Whether he's worth that added 4th round pick remains to be seen, but it's worth the risk. Tapp is a very physical player with experience at both ends of the line. Expect him to challenge Juqua Parker for the starting LDE position this training camp.