Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings completed this exchange…
Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings completed this exchange on 1994-04-24. Minnesota sent Chris Doleman and the 45th pick to Atlanta for the 40th pick and Atlanta's 1995 first-rounder. Minnesota's return was respectable: Alexander became a multi-year starter and Palmer contributed as a receiver and returner. The stronger overall return belongs to Atlanta Falcons. The grades reflect direct team value plus clearly traceable use of any acquired pick that was later traded.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Chris Doleman
- pick 1994 2nd round pick (45th overall, Bert Emanuel)
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 1994 2nd round pick (40th overall, David Palmer )
- pick 1995 1st round pick (11th overall, Derrick Alexander )
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Minnesota sent Chris Doleman and the 45th pick to Atlanta for the 40th pick and Atlanta's 1995 first-rounder. The Vikings were moving on from an established star while gaining premium future draft capital. Atlanta was adding a proven edge rusher and still retained a second-round selection five spots later, which became wide receiver Bert Emanuel.
What Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings Received
Atlanta received two productive veterans from the structure of the deal. Doleman was already an elite pass rusher and ultimately finished his Hall of Fame career with 150.5 sacks. Emanuel became a 103-game receiver with 4,852 career receiving yards. Minnesota used No. 40 on return specialist David Palmer and the future first on defensive end Derrick Alexander, who started 51 games for the Vikings and recorded 17.5 sacks there.
How the Value Developed
Minnesota's return was respectable: Alexander became a multi-year starter and Palmer contributed as a receiver and returner. Atlanta nevertheless obtained the best player in the exchange in Doleman and paired him with Emanuel, who supplied several productive seasons at wide receiver. Because both clubs received legitimate starters, the grade gap is not enormous, but the Falcons converted their side into more high-end proven performance.
Final Verdict
Atlanta Falcons Win. Atlanta Falcons receives a A- and Minnesota Vikings receives a B. The result weighs only value tied to the assets each club actually controlled, including a later transaction when the acquired pick itself was moved. That keeps the comparison centered on team-specific football contribution rather than assigning another franchise's eventual selection to the wrong side.