Atlanta received the 215th pick in the 1985 draft and…
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 Falcons Received
- pick 1985 eighth round pick (#215- Ronnie Washington )
New England Patriots Received
- player Rod McSwain
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New England acquired Rod McSwain from Atlanta on August 27, 1984, while Atlanta received an eighth-round pick in the 1985 draft that became No. 215 Ronnie Washington. The transaction was modest in scale, so the fairest comparison is the football value each side actually received rather than the perceived value of the assets on the trade date. Team transaction histories and the downstream draft record support the core exchange, leaving the outcome to be judged on production and longevity.
Atlanta Falcons Return
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. That body of work supports a C- grade for Atlanta Falcons. The grade reflects the actual contribution tied to this exchange, not the player's broader reputation or the nominal value of the original asset.
New England Patriots Return
New England acquired defensive back Rod McSwain and kept him for seven seasons. McSwain appeared in ninety games for the Patriots, giving the club extensive defensive and roster value from a modest acquisition. That long tenure dramatically outpaced the contribution Atlanta received from the eighth-round selection and makes New England the clear winner. That body of work supports a B+ grade for New England Patriots. The result is measured against what the other side realized from the same transaction, with the size of the original deal keeping the grades proportional.
Value in Hindsight
This is a hindsight result built on realized value. Neither side should be credited simply for acquiring a recognizable name or a draft choice; the important question is what that asset became for the club that received it. In this case, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots produced different levels of usable football value, and that separation is enough to choose a winner without overstating a relatively small trade.
Final Verdict
New England Patriots Win. Atlanta Falcons receives a C-, while New England Patriots receives a B+. The winning side generated the stronger direct return from the documented exchange, while the other side still receives credit for whatever useful value it actually obtained. The margin is reflected in the grades rather than treated as a franchise-changing result.