Atlanta Falcons–New Orleans Saints Trade History

Atlanta Falcons received Charles Wood, while New Orleans Saints received cash. Available season records do not show Wood producing meaningful regular-season value for Atlanta, leaving the Saints' cash as the clearer return. The hindsight grades are D+ for Atlanta Falcons and C+ for New Orleans Saints, producing a New Orleans Saints Win verdict.

Atlanta traded Ernie Wheelwright to New Orleans for Ray Ogden on October 3, 1967. Both teams received useful players, but Ogden produced the stronger immediate two-season return for Atlanta: 19 catches for 308 yards in 11 games after the trade, then 25 catches for 452 yards in 1968. Wheelwright contributed for the Saints through 1969, keeping New Orleans’ side respectable but slightly behind.

Atlanta received Jerry Jones, Roy Schmidt and Jim Ferguson in the 1969 exchange, sending Errol Linden and Don Talbert to New Orleans. The incoming group did not provide the same durable return that Talbert later supplied for the Saints. Atlanta still received three veterans in a legitimate multi-player swap, but the realized value supports a C+ grade rather than the stronger side of the deal.

On 1971-08-03, Atlanta Falcons received Ray Poage, while New Orleans Saints received undisclosed draft pick. The hindsight verdict is Atlanta Falcons Win, with Atlanta Falcons graded C+ and New Orleans Saints 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 1972 sixth round pick (#146-Fred Riley) in the exchange with New Orleans Saints. The sixth-round choice became Fred Riley, who did not create meaningful NFL value for Atlanta. Against the other side's return of John Mallory, that outcome supports a C- grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Even Trade, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

Atlanta Falcons received Royce Smith and Dick Palmer from New Orleans Saints. Royce Smith played 38 games for Atlanta across three seasons, and Dick Palmer appeared in all 14 games in 1974. Together they gave the Falcons multiple seasons of combined roster value. That outcome supports a B+ grade for Atlanta Falcons when the trade is measured by the football value actually realized after the exchange.

Atlanta Falcons received Ernie Jackson (b. 1950-04-11), while New Orleans Saints received Ray Brown (Madison). Transaction records show Atlanta acquired veteran defensive back Ernie Jackson from New Orleans for Ray Brown on May 2, 1978. That return earns a C grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is New Orleans Saints Win.

Atlanta Falcons received 1985 sixth round pick (#152-Reggie Pleasant), while New Orleans Saints received Junior Miller. The Saints' draft history and the 1985 draft history confirm New Orleans sent a sixth-round selection, later No. 152, used on Reggie Pleasant. That return earns a D+ grade for Atlanta Falcons, and the overall verdict is New Orleans Saints Win.

Atlanta Falcons received Wayne Gandy, while New Orleans Saints received Bryan Scott and a conditional 2007 seventh-round pick that became No. 220 Marvin Mitchell. Gandy gave Atlanta 21 starts over 2006-07, while the Saints' conditional pick became Marvin Mitchell, who played 55 games over four New Orleans seasons. The hindsight grades are B- for Atlanta Falcons and B- for New Orleans Saints, producing a Even Trade verdict.