Pittsburgh sent the 137th pick in the 1998 draft to Atlanta…
Pittsburgh sent the 137th pick in the 1998 draft to Atlanta for three seventh-round selections. The Steelers used No. 137 on defensive back Jason Simmons, who played 121 career games. Atlanta selected offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam at No. 199, and Salaam became a 13-year player with 163 games and 129 starts. Pittsburgh found a useful professional, but Atlanta found the best player while also receiving two additional picks.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1998 7th round pick (199th overall, Ephraim Salaam)
- pick 1998 7th round pick (203rd overall, Henry Slay)
- pick 1998 7th round pick (215th overall; subsequently traded)
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 1998 5th round pick (137th overall, Jason Simmons)
Trade Analysis
Why Pittsburgh Preferred One Higher Pick
The Steelers consolidated three seventh-round selections into the 137th pick, giving them a better chance to land a player they valued in the fifth round. Pittsburgh selected defensive back Jason Simmons. The approach was reasonable because fifth-round players generally offer a better probability of sticking than late seventh-round picks, and Simmons did become a long-term NFL player rather than a miss.
What Jason Simmons Provided
Simmons played 121 career games over 10 seasons. He was used primarily as a reserve defensive back and special-teams contributor rather than a full-time starter, but that is still solid return from the 137th selection. Pittsburgh therefore cannot be graded harshly for the move. The Steelers turned three very late picks into a player who stayed in the league for a decade and provided useful roster depth.
How Atlanta Won the Quantity Bet
Atlanta used No. 199 on offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam, who became the most valuable player in the exchange. Salaam played 163 NFL games and started 129 across a 13-year career. He was part of the Falcons’ 1998 Super Bowl roster and later became a long-term starter elsewhere. Atlanta also received picks 203 and 215, with the latter subsequently traded for a future selection. The Falcons found the best player without needing their original fifth-round slot.
Final Verdict
Atlanta Falcons Win. Atlanta earns a B+ because Salaam alone exceeded the value Pittsburgh received from Simmons, and the Falcons also held two additional draft assets. Pittsburgh gets a B- because Simmons was a legitimate 10-year NFL player and made the consolidation worthwhile. Both teams found useful value, but Atlanta’s seventh-round hit created the stronger overall return.