The 2001 Broncos-Falcons Pick Swap: Three Sevenths for a Future Fourth
Denver traded three seventh-round picks to Atlanta for a 2002 fourth-rounder. Atlanta's best result was guard Kynan Forney, a rare late-round starter who gave the Falcons years of value.
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2002 4th round pick (112th overall; subsequently traded, Dave Zastudil selected)
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2001 7th round pick (215th overall, Corey Hall )
- pick 2001 7th round pick (219th overall, Kynan Forney )
- pick 2001 7th round pick (226th overall, Ronald Flemons )
Trade Summary
Denver sent three 2001 seventh-round picks to Atlanta for a 2002 fourth-round selection. The Falcons used one of those late choices, No. 219, on guard Kynan Forney, who played 95 games and started 89 for Atlanta from 2001 through 2007. Denver's future fourth retained meaningful value but was later traded, while Atlanta turned a long-shot pick into a seven-year starting lineman and clearly won the exchange.
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Denver consolidated three seventh-round choices in the 2001 draft, Nos. 215, 219 and 226, into Atlanta's fourth-round selection in 2002. The Falcons used their three picks on Corey Hall, Kynan Forney and Ronald Flemons. Denver's future choice became No. 112 overall and was later traded before Baltimore selected punter Dave Zastudil. Both clubs therefore pursued recognizable draft strategies.
Denver Broncos Return
A future fourth-round choice normally carries substantially more expected value than any single seventh-round pick, so Denver's decision was defensible. The Broncos upgraded the quality of their draft capital and retained flexibility with the 2002 selection. The limitation in hindsight is that Denver later moved No. 112 and did not turn this chain into a player who supplied the club with a return comparable to Forney's Atlanta career.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta accepted three low-probability swings, and one became an exceptional result for its draft slot. Forney played 95 games for the Falcons from 2001 through 2007 and started 89, spending years as a regular at right guard. Hall and Flemons added less, but they did not need to become major contributors once No. 219 yielded a durable starting offensive lineman.
Value in Hindsight
The outcome illustrates why multiple late selections can sometimes beat a theoretically superior future pick. Denver's asset had strong market value, but Atlanta actually converted one of its chances into seven seasons of starting-line production. A seventh-rounder producing 89 starts for the acquiring club is far above normal expectation and overwhelms the limited direct Denver return from this particular chain.
Final Verdict
Atlanta earns an A- and Denver a C+. Denver's decision to seek a future fourth was rational and the pick retained value, so the Broncos do not deserve a failing grade. The Falcons simply hit an unusually valuable late-round outcome. Forney's 95 games and 89 starts make Atlanta the clear hindsight winner.