Atlanta Falcons–Indianapolis Colts Trade History

Atlanta Falcons received 1967 sixth round pick (#151-Martine Bircher) in the exchange with Indianapolis Colts. The historical record shows how the player service and draft value developed after the deal, with the comparison favoring Indianapolis Colts. That result supports a D for Atlanta Falcons. The grade reflects the less valuable realized return and keeps the judgment proportional to the documented value produced by this transaction.

Atlanta acquired Lou Kirouac from Indianapolis for the 1967 sixth-round pick later used on Terry Southall. Kirouac played all 14 games for the Falcons in 1966 and handled substantial kicking work, while Southall never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Atlanta received the only meaningful on-field return, making the Falcons the clear winner of an otherwise modest transaction.

Atlanta Falcons received Phil Sobocinski. The locked Wave 209 research supports the C grade after comparing the direct production and draft value attributable to this transaction. The evaluation excludes unrelated later moves and unsupported assumptions. Against Indianapolis Colts, that documented return supports the final verdict of Indianapolis Colts Win.

Atlanta Falcons received 1969 fourth round pick (#103-Dickie Lyons) and 1969 fifth round pick (#127-Tony Pleviak). Atlanta turned veteran lineman Dan Grimm into two 1969 draft choices, giving the Falcons multiple chances to add roster value. The picks became the No. 103 and No. 127 selections. Neither choice became a major star, but the two-asset return was more useful than the limited long-term value Indianapolis obtained from Grimm after the deal. That stronger outcome supports a B+ grade for Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons received Gail Cogdill and 1970 sixth round pick (selection not identified) in the 1969-07-28 exchange involving Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts. Cogdill became a regular part of Atlanta's passing game across the 1969 and 1970 seasons, giving the Falcons a useful veteran receiver beyond the immediate transaction. That realized return supports a B- grade for Atlanta Falcons. The overall verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win, with the grade based on direct value created from this transaction.

Atlanta sent George Kunz and the No. 3 pick to Baltimore for the No. 1 selection and a sixth-round choice, then drafted Steve Bartkowski first overall and Fulton Kuykendall later in the draft. Bartkowski became the Falcons' long-term starting quarterback and Kuykendall a durable linebacker. Baltimore received an elite tackle in Kunz plus Ken Huff at No. 3.

Atlanta's return was a conditional 1981 tenth-round pick, but the condition was not satisfied and the choice was never exercised. The Falcons therefore received no draft value from moving Brian Cabral. Because the player also failed to produce a Colts regular-season return, Atlanta did not surrender meaningful realized value either.

Atlanta Falcons received Dave Smigelsky, while Indianapolis Colts received 1983 ninth round pick (#241-Chris Rose). Atlanta acquired punter Dave Smigelsky from Baltimore for the 1983 ninth-round selection used on tackle Chris Rose. That return earns a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win.

Indianapolis acquired veteran receiver Charlie Brown from Atlanta on April 27, 1988 for a conditional 1989 twelfth-round pick. Brown had been a productive receiver earlier in the decade, but the Colts released him on July 26 before the regular season. The conditional selection was not exercised, so neither club received a lasting roster or draft return.

Atlanta converted the No. 1 pick in the 1990 draft into a broad package built around proven tackle Chris Hinton, explosive receiver Andre Rison and future first-round value. The 1991 first-rounder became Mike Pritchard, while the 1990 fifth-rounder became Reggie Redding. That collection gave the Falcons multiple productive starters and spread the risk of one premium selection across several valuable assets.

Atlanta acquired quarterback Jeff George from Indianapolis for two 1994 picks and a conditional 1996 first-rounder. George produced several prolific passing seasons for the Falcons, but Indianapolis eventually converted the future first into No. 19 and selected Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison. The Colts' return, especially Harrison, overwhelms Atlanta's shorter quarterback payoff.

Atlanta sent second-, third- and fourth-round picks to Indianapolis for the 29th and 90th selections, drafting Michael Jenkins and Matt Schaub. Jenkins became a seven-year Falcons receiver with more than 3,000 yards for the club, while Schaub later generated two second-round picks when Atlanta traded him to Houston. The combined return gave the Falcons both production and valuable future trade capital.

Atlanta traded longtime quarterback Matt Ryan to Indianapolis for pick No. 82 in 2022, ending a 14-year era and beginning a roster reset. The Falcons used the pick on DeAngelo Malone, who became primarily a rotational defender and special-teams contributor. Ryan started 12 games for the Colts, throwing for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before being released after one season. Atlanta won because Indianapolis received no lasting quarterback solution.

Atlanta moved up six spots for Matthew Bergeron, who became an immediate fixture at left guard and started 49 games over his first three seasons. Indianapolis turned the move down into Julius Brents and Adetomiwa Adebawore; Adebawore developed into a useful rotational defender, but Brents' Colts tenure was limited by injuries. Bergeron's steady starting value gives Atlanta the clearer return.