Atlanta traded guard Reggie Redding to New England in January…
Atlanta traded guard Reggie Redding to New England in January 1992 for a fifth-round pick and a conditional 1993 selection. Redding started all 14 games he played for the Patriots that season, giving New England immediate line value. Atlanta received No. 120 Greg Briggs plus a later conditional asset, so the Falcons hold a slight draft-capital edge, but Redding's starting season keeps the result close.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1992 fifth round pick (#120-Greg Briggs / Gregg Briggs)
- pick 1993 conditional pick (probably #169-Clarence Williams III)
New England Patriots Received
- player Reggie Redding
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
NFL transaction records show Atlanta sending Reggie Redding to New England on January 27, 1992. The return was a 1992 fifth-round selection, No. 120 Greg Briggs, plus a conditional 1993 pick that draft-trade history associates with No. 169 Clarence Williams. The deal therefore exchanged a young lineman for two mid-to-late draft assets.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta received two draft assets for a player who had not been a regular starter for the Falcons. The fifth-round pick became Greg Briggs, and the conditional selection is tied in historical draft records to Clarence Williams. Neither return became a major NFL star, so the Falcons' grade stays modest, but extracting multiple picks gives Atlanta the better long-term asset position.
New England Patriots Return
New England received immediate utility. Redding appeared in 14 games in 1992 and started all 14, giving the Patriots a full season of offensive-line service. That is meaningful value from a trade, particularly for a team needing dependable snaps. His Patriots tenure did not last long enough to overwhelm the cost, which keeps New England at C rather than a higher grade.
Value in Hindsight
This is a close trade because New England actually used Redding as a starter while Atlanta received two chances in the draft. The Falcons' picks did not become major difference-makers, but the quantity of controlled assets gives them a small edge. Redding's 14-start season prevents the Patriots from being treated as clear losers and keeps the grade spread narrow.
Final Verdict
The final call is Atlanta Falcons Win. Atlanta Falcons receives a C+ grade and New England Patriots receives a C grade. The grades weigh the actual football value created after the transaction, the cost paid, the length and quality of each return, and the uncertainty that still exists in the historical evidence. The judgment stays proportional to the size of the move rather than treating a depth transaction or late pick swap like a franchise-changing blockbuster.