Atlanta Falcons received 1986 sixth round pick (#154-Floyd…
Atlanta Falcons received 1986 sixth round pick (#154-Floyd Dixon) in the 1985-08-20 exchange with Buffalo Bills, giving up Don Smith. Atlanta received the 1986 sixth-round choice that became No. 154, Floyd Dixon, after moving veteran defensive end Don Smith. That return supports a C grade for Atlanta Falcons. The final verdict is Even Trade, based on the football value tied directly to the assets in this deal.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1986 sixth round pick (#154-Floyd Dixon)
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Don Smith
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1985-08-20, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills completed a deal in which Atlanta Falcons received 1986 sixth round pick (#154-Floyd Dixon), while Buffalo Bills received Don Smith. Multiple historical records agree on the player movement, counterparties, and material consideration. That makes the useful hindsight question straightforward: what football value did each club actually receive from the assets attached to this exchange?
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta received the 1986 sixth-round choice that became No. 154, Floyd Dixon, after moving veteran defensive end Don Smith. The return is best judged at the scale of the transaction itself. For Atlanta Falcons, the important point is whether the incoming asset produced usable service or preserved meaningful draft value. Nothing in the documented outcome justifies stretching the grade beyond what the actual return supports, so C is an appropriate mark.
Buffalo Bills Return
Buffalo added Don Smith for a sixth-round pick, obtaining a veteran rather than waiting on a later draft selection. That result defines the other side of the comparison. For Buffalo Bills, the grade should reflect the contribution or draft value that followed from this specific deal, without crediting unrelated roster moves or later transactions. On that basis, C fits the value Buffalo Bills ultimately realized.
Value in Hindsight
The sixth-round return and the veteran acquisition were both modest, with no documented outcome large enough to separate the clubs. Because this was not a franchise-changing exchange, the grade spread should remain proportional to the evidence. Late-round picks, short veteran stints, failed physicals, and nominal cash returns can still matter, but they should not be treated like premium assets. The comparison therefore emphasizes actual service, identifiable draft outcomes, and the direct consequences of the deal.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Atlanta Falcons receives C, while Buffalo Bills receives C. That verdict matches the documented outcome and keeps the judgment tied to the exchange itself. Where the realized returns were close, the grades stay close; where one side obtained clearly more useful football value, the grade separation reflects that advantage without overstating a relatively small transaction.