Atlanta sent George Kunz and the No. 3 pick to Baltimore for…
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 Falcons Received
- pick 1975 first round pick (#1-Steve Bartkowski)
- pick 1975 sixth round pick (#132- Fulton Kuykendall )
Indianapolis Colts Received
- player George Kunz
- pick 1975 first round pick (#3-Ken Huff)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Atlanta acquired the No. 1 pick in the 1975 draft and a sixth-round choice from Baltimore. The Colts received star tackle George Kunz and the No. 3 pick. Atlanta selected Steve Bartkowski first overall and later used the sixth-rounder on Fulton Kuykendall; Baltimore used No. 3 on Ken Huff.
Why Atlanta Got What It Needed
The Falcons were buying a franchise quarterback, and Bartkowski became exactly that. He threw for more than 24,000 yards in his career, made two Pro Bowls and spent more than a decade as Atlanta's primary passer. Kuykendall added another long-term contributor, strengthening the value of the package.
What Baltimore Received
The Colts did not merely move down two spots. Kunz was already an elite offensive tackle and continued to play at a high level in Baltimore. Ken Huff also became a substantial NFL starter. The Colts therefore received premium veteran talent and a high draft choice rather than sacrificing the top pick for speculative depth.
Why Both Returns Aged Well
Trade-up deals often become lopsided because one side misses on the quarterback or the other wastes the extra assets. Neither happened here. Atlanta found the face of its offense, and Baltimore collected high-end line play from two different players.
Final Verdict
This is an even trade at an unusually high level. Atlanta deserves an A for landing Bartkowski and Kuykendall without regretting the price. Baltimore also deserves an A for acquiring Kunz and Huff. Each club solved different roster needs and received years of starting production, leaving no convincing reason to force a winner.
Steve Bartkowski and Fulton Kuykendall became durable Atlanta starters, while George Kunz remained an elite Baltimore tackle and Ken Huff added another long-term lineman, giving both franchises substantial production from the same premium-pick exchange. That balance remained evident across the full transaction return.