Arizona Cardinals–Atlanta Falcons Trade History

Arizona sent a 1968 fourth-round pick that became Don Fitzgerald and received Terry Nofsinger from Atlanta in the 1967 exchange. The pick produced no NFL regular-season value for Arizona, while Nofsinger appeared in seven games and started once for the Falcons. The return was modest, but Atlanta realized more usable football value and earns the better hindsight grade.

Atlanta acquired quarterback Terry Nofsinger from the St. Louis Cardinals in April 1967 for its 1968 fourth-round pick. Nofsinger appeared in seven games for the Falcons that season, starting once and passing for 352 yards with one touchdown.

From St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals's side, the exchange delivered cash in return for Phil Spiller. Spiller started seven games for Atlanta before being released in late October, giving the Falcons tangible short-term value. That balance supports a C grade for St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals and a B- for Atlanta Falcons, with the final call at Atlanta Falcons Win.

St. Louis received an undisclosed 1969 draft pick for Charlie Bryant. The exact downstream selection remains unresolved, so the Cardinals retain credit for receiving future draft capital without assigning unsupported player value to it. Atlanta's documented production from Bryant gives the Falcons a slight edge, but uncertainty around the pick keeps the gap modest.

Arizona Cardinals received draft pick (possibly 1972 #250-Mike Franks / Mike Frank) (possibly 1972 #431-Bill Holland). The Cardinals received a draft choice, but the exact selection remains uncertain in the available historical material. That uncertainty limits how much value can be assigned to the return. Without a confidently identified pick or a clearly documented downstream result, Arizona's side stays conservative. That result supports a C grade for Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons exchanged Billy Taylor for undisclosed draft pick (selection not identified). Atlanta had already invested a 1970 fourth-round pick in Taylor, but he never developed into durable Falcons value. The unidentified pick keeps the ceiling low for Atlanta because no downstream career can be credited. In hindsight, Atlanta Falcons produced the stronger realized return, with the grade based on actual post-trade service and traceable downstream value rather than the nominal asset label alone.

St. Louis acquired Jim Butler, but his post-trade Cardinals service was limited compared with the player sent to Atlanta. Butler did not match Chuck Walker's four-season Falcons run or his 47 games of service. The Cardinals therefore received some identifiable value, but not enough to keep pace with Atlanta's more durable return.

Atlanta acquired guard Greg Kindle and the 1977 first-round choice that became defensive lineman Wilson Faumuina for veteran defensive end John Zook. Kindle's stay was brief, but Faumuina gave the Falcons five seasons and 74 games. That combination supplied Atlanta with more total value than Zook's four solid seasons in St. Louis, though the margin was not overwhelming.

Atlanta Falcons received undisclosed draft pick, while Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals received John Harper. St. Louis acquired linebacker John Harper from Atlanta for an undisclosed draft choice. Harper had played 13 games as an Atlanta rookie in 1983 but did not record regular-season service for the Cardinals, so the known on-field return favored Atlanta's receipt of draft consideration, even though the exact selection is unresolved. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons, a D+ for Arizona/St. Louis Cardinals, and a Atlanta Falcons Win verdict.

Atlanta moved up in the 1985 second round and acquired the 45th overall pick from St. Louis, using it on defensive end Mike Gann. The Falcons sent No. 51 and No. 116 to the Cardinals. Gann then started every regular-season game he played for Atlanta, finishing with 118 starts across nine seasons. That durable defensive-line production made the move up exceptionally productive for the Falcons.

Atlanta sent quarterback Desmond Ridder to Arizona for wide receiver Rondale Moore in a straight player-for-player swap. Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury before playing a regular-season snap for the Falcons, so Atlanta never received on-field production from its acquisition. Ridder failed to secure Arizona's backup job and later left the Cardinals' practice squad, leaving both original teams without meaningful regular-season value from the exchanged players.

Atlanta traded up eight spots in the 2024 second round for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and also received a sixth-round pick used on Jase McClellan. Arizona moved down to No. 43 for cornerback Max Melton and added No. 79, which was later moved. Orhorhoro and Melton have both become useful defenders, leaving the exchange balanced two seasons later.