Seattle sent Atlanta picks 11, 41, 70 and 100 in 1997 for No.…
Seattle sent Atlanta picks 11, 41, 70 and 100 in 1997 for No. 3 and No. 63. The Seahawks drafted Pro Bowl cornerback Shawn Springs third overall, then used the acquired third-rounder as part of the move from No. 12 to No. 6 that landed Hall of Fame tackle Walter Jones. Atlanta received four players but no comparable star, making Seattle's return overwhelming.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1997 1st round pick (11th overall, Michael Booker )
- pick 1997 2nd round pick (41st overall, Byron Hanspard)
- pick 1997 3rd round pick (70th overall, O.J. Santiago)
- pick 1997 4th round pick (100th overall, Henri Crockett )
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1997 1st round pick (3rd overall, Shawn Springs)
- pick 1997 3rd round pick (63rd overall subsequently traded, Frank Middleton )
Trade Analysis
Seattle's March 1997 deal with Atlanta was expensive in raw pick count but exceptional in realized value. The Seahawks sent selections 11, 41, 70 and 100 for No. 3 and No. 63. At third overall, Seattle selected Ohio State cornerback Shawn Springs. Springs became an immediate starter, developed into a Pro Bowl defensive back and gave the Seahawks seven seasons of high-level coverage play before continuing a long career in Washington.
The second asset is what makes the trade especially powerful in hindsight. Seattle did not use No. 63 on the player eventually selected there. Instead, the Seahawks combined that acquired third-rounder with their other first-round selection, No. 12, and sent both to Tampa Bay for No. 6. Seattle then drafted Walter Jones. Jones became one of the greatest left tackles in NFL history, earned nine Pro Bowl selections, was a multiple-time first-team All-Pro and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Because the Atlanta trade supplied the extra capital needed for that move, its downstream value extends beyond Springs.
Atlanta received four selections and used them on Michael Booker, Byron Hanspard, O.J. Santiago and Henri Crockett. Crockett became a useful linebacker and Santiago had a lengthy career, but the group never approached the combined impact Seattle generated. Quantity protected Atlanta from a total washout, yet none of the four became a franchise cornerstone. Seattle effectively transformed the package into a Pro Bowl cornerback plus a critical piece of the Walter Jones acquisition. That deserves an A+ and a clear Seahawks verdict. Atlanta's return provided some serviceable players, so a D is more accurate than an F, but the opportunity cost of passing on elite talent is enormous.