Atlanta traded the 140th pick in the 1997 draft to Washington…
Atlanta traded the 140th pick in the 1997 draft to Washington and received picks 180 and 222. Washington selected defensive back Keith Thibodeaux, while Atlanta chose guard Calvin Collins and defensive back Chris Bayne. Collins alone played 68 NFL games and developed into a multi-year starter, with Bayne adding further depth. That two-player return gives the Falcons a clear hindsight advantage over Washington's single selection.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1997 6th round pick (180th overall, Calvin Collins )
- pick 1997 7th round pick (222nd overall, Chris Bayne )
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 1997 5th round pick (140th overall, Keith Thibodeaux )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Atlanta sent the 140th overall selection in the 1997 draft to Washington for two later picks, Nos. 180 and 222. Washington used No. 140 on defensive back Keith Thibodeaux. Atlanta selected Texas A&M guard Calvin Collins at 180 and Fresno State defensive back Chris Bayne at 222. The clean transaction is a straightforward one-for-two move down, separate from unrelated transactions that occurred elsewhere in the round.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Collins made the trade work for Atlanta. He appeared in 68 NFL games and accumulated multiple seasons of starting work, an excellent result for the 180th overall selection. Bayne added 23 career games, giving the Falcons a second player who reached an NFL field. Neither became a star, but two real contributors from sixth- and seventh-round choices represent strong conversion of a fifth-round asset.
Washington Commanders Return
Washington targeted Thibodeaux with the higher selection. He appeared on the club's 1997 roster, but his career did not approach Collins' sustained value. The Commanders paid two selections to move up, so the standard for winning the exchange required the chosen player to provide more than the combined Atlanta return. That did not happen.
Value in Hindsight
This is a useful example of a move down succeeding through depth rather than stardom. Atlanta did not uncover an All-Pro, but Collins produced years of service from a late pick and Bayne supplied additional games. Washington's consolidated selection failed to create an equivalent outcome.
Final Verdict
Atlanta earns a B+ and Washington a C-. The Falcons converted one fifth-round slot into a multi-year lineman plus a second NFL player. Washington's decision to move up produced the weaker career return, creating a clear Falcons win.