Atlanta Falcons–New England Patriots Trade History

Atlanta Falcons received 1975 twelfth round pick (selection not identified), while New England Patriots received Don Highsmith. New England acquired Don Highsmith from Atlanta for a 1975 twelfth-round choice. Highsmith's recorded NFL playing career had already ended, while the exact Atlanta selection has not been identified. The supported history provides enough detail to judge the exchange without overstating uncertain downstream information. Atlanta Falcons earns a C grade, and the overall verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win.

Atlanta received the 215th pick in the 1985 draft and selected Ronnie Washington. Atlanta received an eighth-round pick in the 1985 draft and used No. 215 on Ronnie Washington. Washington supplied only limited value for the Falcons, so the draft return did not become a lasting contributor. The pick was legitimate compensation, but the eventual outcome was far smaller than the production New England received from McSwain. In hindsight, that result supports a C- grade for Atlanta Falcons in a deal ultimately judged as New England Patriots Win.

Atlanta traded guard Reggie Redding to New England in January 1992 for a fifth-round pick and a conditional 1993 selection. Redding started all 14 games he played for the Patriots that season, giving New England immediate line value. Atlanta received No. 120 Greg Briggs plus a later conditional asset, so the Falcons hold a slight draft-capital edge, but Redding's starting season keeps the result close.

Atlanta moved from No. 19 to No. 8 in the 1992 draft and selected tackle Bob Whitfield, sending New England the 19th, 46th and 104th selections. Whitfield became a long-term Falcons cornerstone, starting 176 games across his NFL career and earning a Pro Bowl berth, while the Patriots used their return as fuel for additional draft-day maneuvering.

Atlanta Falcons traded reserve lineman Quinn Ojinnaka to New England for the 2011 seventh-round pick that became No. 230, Cliff Matthews. Ojinnaka appeared in only eight games with no starts for the Patriots, while Matthews became a multi-season depth defensive lineman in Atlanta. Turning a reserve player into several years of roster utility gives the Falcons a B- and the win.

Atlanta acquired safety Jordan Richards from New England for a 2020 seventh-round pick. Atlanta acquired safety Jordan Richards and immediately received meaningful short-term usage. Richards appeared in fifteen games and started twelve for the Falcons in 2018, giving the club a substantial amount of playable depth from a modest acquisition. For a seventh-round-equivalent cost, that single season of starts was a useful return. In hindsight, that result supports a B- grade for Atlanta Falcons in a deal ultimately judged as Atlanta Falcons Win.

Atlanta traded Mohamed Sanu to New England for a 2020 second-round pick that settled at No. 55. The Falcons later packaged that selection in the Hayden Hurst trade and received Hurst plus a fourth-rounder. Sanu's Patriots tenure lasted only eight regular-season games and one playoff appearance before he was released the next year, making Atlanta's premium draft return clearly more valuable.

Atlanta acquired tight end Jonnu Smith from New England for a 2023 seventh-round pick. Smith responded with 50 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns in 2023, all career highs or near-career highs at the time, before Atlanta released him the next offseason. New England used No. 245 on Isaiah Bolden, who later appeared in 14 games without a start in 2024. One strong season for a seventh-rounder favors Atlanta.

Atlanta acquired Matthew Judon from New England for a 2025 third-round pick and received one season of veteran edge help. Judon recorded 5.5 sacks for the Falcons in 2024 before the sides separated. New England converted an aging player entering a contract dispute into a valuable Day 2 selection, while Atlanta received useful but short-term pass-rush production.