Oakland moved from No. 18 to No. 17 in the 2002 draft,…
Oakland moved from No. 18 to No. 17 in the 2002 draft, sending Atlanta the 18th pick and a fifth-rounder to select cornerback Phillip Buchanon. Atlanta used the acquired first-rounder on running back T.J. Duckett and the fifth-round pick on quarterback Kurt Kittner. Buchanon had the longest and most productive career, while Duckett became a useful rotational power back, leaving Oakland with a modest edge.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2002 1st round pick (18th overall, T.J. Duckett )
- pick 2002 5th round pick (158th overall, Kurt Kittner)
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- pick 2002 1st round pick (17th overall, Phillip Buchanon )
Trade Analysis
This was a classic one-slot draft maneuver. Oakland wanted Miami cornerback Phillip Buchanon and moved from No. 18 to No. 17 to make sure Atlanta could not take him or trade the pick elsewhere. The Raiders sent the Falcons No. 18 and a fifth-round selection, No. 158. Atlanta then drafted Michigan State running back T.J. Duckett in the first round and quarterback Kurt Kittner in the fifth.
Buchanon had an uneven Raiders tenure but ultimately built the best NFL career in the exchange. He started 36 games for Oakland across three seasons, intercepted 11 passes, scored multiple return touchdowns and later remained an NFL defensive back through 2011. The Raiders eventually traded him to Houston for second- and third-round picks, allowing them to recover additional value from the original investment.
Duckett was useful rather than transformative. He rushed for 2,175 yards and 31 touchdowns during four Falcons seasons, working primarily as a power complement rather than a full-time feature back. Atlanta later traded him in a three-team deal before the 2006 season. Kittner appeared briefly in the NFL and did not add meaningful long-term value.
The difference is not large enough for a lopsided grade. Oakland paid only a fifth-rounder to move one spot, received a starting corner and later recouped valuable draft compensation when Buchanon was moved again. Atlanta obtained a productive role back and the extra selection, which is a defensible result for moving down. Still, Buchanon's longer starting career and later trade value give the Raiders the better side. Oakland earns a solid grade for targeting and retaining the more valuable asset, while Atlanta receives a respectable but lower mark because Duckett's role never became large enough to offset the positional and resale advantages of Buchanon.