Atlanta Falcons received 1978 tenth round pick (#257-Ricky…
Atlanta Falcons received 1978 tenth round pick (#257-Ricky Patton); cash. Atlanta received cash and a 1978 tenth-round choice that became No. 257 Ricky Patton, who later provided modest backfield production. That result supports a C for Atlanta Falcons. The overall comparison is balanced because neither side created a clear enough edge to separate the grades. The grade reflects the realized player service and draft value tied directly to this transaction, without assigning extra credit for outcomes that cannot be traced confidently to the exchanged assets.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1978 tenth round pick (#257-Ricky Patton)
- other cash
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Dave Hampton
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1976-10-05, Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles completed a deal in which Atlanta Falcons received 1978 tenth round pick (#257-Ricky Patton); cash, while Philadelphia Eagles received Dave Hampton. Team trade histories support the October 5, 1976 move of Dave Hampton to Philadelphia for cash and a future tenth-round choice. That choice eventually became No. 257 Ricky Patton. The exchange was modest enough that the useful question is what each club actually realized from the player service or draft value that followed. The grades therefore stay proportional to the size of the transaction and the evidence tied directly to the exchanged assets.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta received cash and a 1978 tenth-round choice that became No. 257 Ricky Patton, who later provided modest backfield production. That result supports a C for Atlanta Falcons. The grade weighs actual NFL service, starts, production, and traceable draft value rather than the apparent importance of the asset on the day of the deal. It also avoids giving credit for later outcomes that cannot be tied directly to this exchange.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia received Dave Hampton, who played eight games and rushed for 267 yards for the Eagles during the 1976 season. That result supports a C for Philadelphia Eagles. The same standard applies here: useful playing time and a productive draft connection raise the return, while a brief stint, an unused choice, or a player who did not create a regular-season role keeps the grade lower.
Value in Hindsight
The realized returns were close enough that neither side earned a meaningful advantage. Hindsight makes that separation clearer because the two returns can be measured by what actually happened after the transaction. The comparison emphasizes duration, role, production, and the strength of any documented draft connection. That approach keeps a small trade from being overstated while still recognizing a real advantage when one club obtained more usable NFL value.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Atlanta Falcons receives C, and Philadelphia Eagles receives C. The decision follows the realized value attached to the exchanged assets and the contribution each club ultimately received. That keeps the verdict consistent with the evidence and appropriately scaled to this transaction.