Atlanta moved up ten spots in the second round of the 1987…
Atlanta moved up ten spots in the second round of the 1987 draft and selected running back Kenny Flowers at No. 31. Flowers played only 16 NFL games and rushed for 85 yards. Green Bay received No. 41 and No. 69, using the earlier choice on linebacker Johnny Holland. Holland became a seven-year Packers regular and a major defensive contributor, giving Green Bay a decisive return from the trade-down.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1987 second round pick (#31-Kenny Flowers)
Green Bay Packers Received
- pick 1987 second round pick (#41-Johnny Holland)
- pick 1987 third round pick (#69-Scott Stephen)
Trade Analysis
Why Atlanta Moved Up
Atlanta paid a third-round choice to climb from No. 41 to No. 31 and target Kenny Flowers. The idea was straightforward: secure a running back before another team could take him. Green Bay accepted the move down because ten spots still left a useful second-round position while adding another top-70 selection.
What Atlanta Received
Flowers never justified the aggressive move. He appeared in only 16 NFL games and finished with 85 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. A team can live with a modest return from one selection, but the cost matters here because Atlanta surrendered another meaningful pick to get him. The Falcons received almost no durable roster value from the transaction.
What Green Bay Received
The Packers used No. 41 on linebacker Johnny Holland and No. 69 on Scott Stephen. Holland became the trade's defining player. He spent seven seasons with Green Bay, appeared in 103 games and accumulated substantial starting and defensive value. Stephen was not required to become a star for the deal to work; Holland alone gave Green Bay a far better outcome than Atlanta received.
How the Value Settled
This is the classic successful trade-down. Green Bay moved only far enough to add another strong selection and still found a long-term starter with its first pick. Atlanta, meanwhile, paid an extra premium for a player whose NFL role disappeared quickly. The difference is both structural and realized: more capital went to Green Bay, and Green Bay also drafted the best player.
Final Verdict
Green Bay wins comfortably. The Packers earn an A- for turning one selection into two and landing a seven-year defensive contributor. Atlanta receives a D because the move-up cost a valuable extra pick and produced only 16 games from Flowers.