Atlanta Falcons–Los Angeles Rams Trade History

Los Angeles acquired the negotiating rights to Mike Dennis from Atlanta in 1966 for a sixth-round choice. The Rams' own 1969 media guide confirms that price, and Falcons draft records identify the transferred selection as 1967 No. 148, Gene Snipes. Dennis later produced 136 rushing yards and 53 receiving yards for the 1968 Rams. Snipes did not become an Atlanta regular-season contributor, leaving Los Angeles with the stronger realized return and the existing B/C+ verdict.

Atlanta Falcons received Tom Moore from Los Angeles Rams, giving up Bernie Casey. Atlanta acquired Tom Moore in a straight player swap. The Falcons received a usable veteran, but the transaction does not show a dramatic long-term swing, so C+ is a fair middle-ground grade. That return supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons. The final verdict is Even Trade.

Atlanta acquired Hall of Fame receiver Tommy McDonald from Los Angeles in September 1967 for a future fourth-round choice. McDonald immediately started 10 games and caught 33 passes for 436 yards and four touchdowns for the Falcons. The surrendered choice ultimately became No. 81 in the 1969 draft, and the Rams later moved that pick back to Atlanta for additional assets, giving Los Angeles a slight value edge.

Los Angeles acquired defensive back and returner Ron Smith from Atlanta in January 1968. George Allen later explained that the Rams used the second-round pick obtained from Green Bay in the Ben Wilson trade to get Smith. Atlanta's draft history identifies that pick as No. 53, John Wright. Smith started 25 games over two Rams seasons and scored on a 94-yard kickoff return; Wright played five scoreless games for Atlanta. The Rams retain the B/C+ win.

Atlanta acquired Bucky Pope but never received a regular-season appearance from him; after a later Vikings trade was voided, the Falcons released him before he resurfaced with Green Bay. Los Angeles received 14 games and one start from Jim Wilson, while Bob Sanders was released without appearing for the Rams. Wilson's one season is the only realized value, giving the Rams a modest C-to-D win.

On 1968-09-19, Atlanta Falcons received draft pick (possibly 1969 #67-Jon Sandstron), while Los Angeles Rams received Frank Marchlewski. The hindsight verdict is Los Angeles/Cleveland/St. Louis Rams Win, with Atlanta Falcons graded C+ and Los Angeles Rams graded B. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while treating conditional terms and later draft outcomes as context rather than as assets exchanged directly on trade day.

Atlanta sent Dick Absher and a 1969 sixth-round pick to the Rams for the fourth-round selection used on tight end Jim Mitchell. Mitchell became one of the best early players in Falcons history, starting all 155 games of his 11-year Atlanta career, catching 305 passes for 4,358 yards and 28 touchdowns, and earning two Pro Bowl selections. The return dwarfed what Los Angeles received, making this an overwhelming Falcons win.

Atlanta Falcons received 1970 6th round pick (152nd overall, Randy Marshall) in the 1969-09-02 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Randy Marshall's NFL stay was brief, so the draft return did not become a lasting Atlanta advantage. The direct package, rather than later movement of any acquired asset, is the basis for the hindsight judgment. Against what Atlanta Falcons surrendered, the result supports Even Trade.

Atlanta received Dave Cahill, who immediately appeared in 11 games and started eight at defensive tackle for the Falcons. Even though his stay was not long, that regular-season role gave Atlanta a clear and measurable contribution from the exchange. That outcome supports a B grade within the Atlanta Falcons Win verdict. The grade reflects realized football value rather than the size of the original package.

Los Angeles sent defensive lineman Dave Cahill to Atlanta on September 10, 1969 for the Falcons' 1970 seventh-round pick, No. 168. The Rams used it on Bill Nelson, who spent five seasons with Los Angeles and appeared in 47 games.

Atlanta traded Laurent Robinson plus 2009 picks No. 160 and No. 196 to the Rams for picks No. 138 and No. 176. Robinson must be treated as a separate player asset rather than bundled into a draft-pick label. Atlanta gained two selections, but the realized return did not exceed the value the Rams received, leaving the Falcons slightly behind.

Atlanta Falcons received Tye Hill from Los Angeles Rams. Atlanta received Tye Hill and obtained limited cornerback work, including a defensive touchdown. His Falcons tenure produced some identifiable value but did not become a long-term role. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Atlanta moved up and selected cornerback Dominique Franks at No. 135. Franks spent four seasons with the Falcons, appeared in 48 games, made four starts, and intercepted three passes. That was useful depth and special-teams value from a fifth-round selection. The return was solid, but it did not equal the long-term defensive contribution Los Angeles received from Eugene Sims.

Atlanta Falcons received 2011 5th round pick (145th overall, Jacquizz Rodgers) in the 2011-04-30 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Jacquizz Rodgers became a useful multi-year back, receiver and return option, giving Atlanta far more practical value than the late picks it surrendered. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Atlanta Falcons surrendered, the result supports Atlanta Falcons Win and a B+ grade for Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta traded up from No. 30 to No. 22 in 2013 for cornerback Desmond Trufant, sending the Rams third- and sixth-round picks and receiving a future seventh. Trufant became a seven-year Falcons starter and Pro Bowler. St. Louis selected Alec Ogletree at No. 30 and Stedman Bailey at No. 92, producing a strong linebacker and additional depth. Both clubs found starters, with Trufant's peak giving Atlanta a narrow edge.

Atlanta sent the Rams picks No. 244 and No. 256 to move up to No. 194 and select wide receiver Russell Gage. Atlanta moved up for Russell Gage, who developed from a sixth-round special-teams prospect into a productive receiver and eventually posted consecutive 700-yard seasons. The Rams selected Justin Lawler at No. 244 and moved No. 256 in another trade. Lawler provided depth, but Gage generated far more offensive production and became a meaningful part of Atlanta's passing game.

Atlanta traded picks 45 and 79 to the Rams for No. 31 and No. 203, using the first-rounder on tackle Kaleb McGary. McGary developed into a long-term Falcons starter and eventually earned a second contract, giving Atlanta stability at right tackle. Los Angeles used No. 79 on David Long and moved No. 45 in another trade, gaining flexibility and secondary depth but no player with McGary's sustained Atlanta role.

Los Angeles sent Van Jefferson and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Atlanta for a 2025 sixth-round selection. Jefferson caught only 12 passes for 101 yards in 12 games with the Falcons and left after the season. The Rams cleared a crowded receiver rotation and improved their future draft position by a round, making the modest transaction a clean win for Los Angeles in hindsight.

Atlanta traded back into the 2025 first round for James Pearce Jr. and pick 101, sending the Rams picks 46 and 242 plus its 2026 first-rounder. Pearce immediately justified much of the aggression with 10.5 rookie sacks, while Los Angeles turned the deal into Terrance Ferguson, Konata Mumpfield and the 13th pick in 2026. Both sides secured meaningful value.