Atlanta Falcons–Buffalo Bills Trade History

Atlanta received the 1972 fifth-round selection used on Billy Taylor. Taylor did not appear in an NFL regular-season game, so the Falcons realized little on-field value from the pick. The C grade reflects a valid draft return without meaningful production, leaving Atlanta close to Buffalo in a low-impact exchange that is best judged as Even Trade.

On 1973-07-13, Atlanta Falcons received undisclosed draft pick, while Buffalo Bills received Ray Jarvis. The hindsight verdict is Buffalo Bills Win, with Atlanta Falcons graded C and Buffalo Bills graded C+. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while keeping unverified downstream pick identities or conditional outcomes out of the final judgment.

Atlanta Falcons received Louis Ross. Louis Ross did not appear in a regular-season game for Atlanta before the Falcons moved him again, leaving no direct on-field return. That outcome supports a D+ grade because the return is measured by the direct football value Atlanta Falcons actually received after the deal, compared with the asset sent the other way.

Atlanta acquired Wallace Francis and received seven seasons of productive receiver play from 1975 through 1981. Francis developed into a starting weapon and topped 1,000 receiving yards in 1979, giving the Falcons both longevity and peak production from the exchange. That substantial direct return overwhelms the limited value Buffalo obtained from the two draft selections it received.

Atlanta Falcons received 1986 sixth round pick (#154-Floyd Dixon) in the 1985-08-20 exchange with Buffalo Bills, giving up Don Smith. Atlanta received the 1986 sixth-round choice that became No. 154, Floyd Dixon, after moving veteran defensive end Don Smith. That return supports a C grade for Atlanta Falcons. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.

Atlanta acquired Peerless Price from Buffalo for the 23rd pick in the 2003 draft after Price's breakout 1,252-yard season. Price never reproduced that level as the Falcons' featured receiver and lasted only two seasons in Atlanta. Buffalo used the pick on Willis McGahee, who became a two-time Pro Bowler and productive starting back, giving the Bills a substantial long-term advantage.

Buffalo sent picks No. 75, No. 149 and No. 156 to Atlanta to move up to No. 63 for offensive tackle Dion Dawkins. The Falcons selected Duke Riley, Damontae Kazee and Brian Hill, receiving useful contributions from Kazee and rotational work from the others. Dawkins became a long-term Bills starter, team leader and five-time Pro Bowler, making him the clear best player produced by the exchange.

Atlanta Falcons received Lee Smith from Buffalo Bills. Smith filled a short-term role, appearing in 16 games with six starts during the 2021 season and giving Atlanta the veteran blocking presence it sought. The C+ grade reflects the direct value Atlanta Falcons realized from the transaction, with the final Buffalo Bills Win call based on actual service and clearly traceable draft outcomes rather than projected value.

Atlanta Falcons Atlanta received Buffalo's 2023 seventh-round pick. The Falcons later used No. 245 as a direct trade asset in the Jonnu Smith deal, converting modest draft capital into a useful veteran tight end. The supported hindsight grade is B-. That mark weighs only value tied directly to this transaction and keeps the result proportional to the deal's cost. Against Buffalo Bills, the final verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win.