Atlanta Falcons received 2010 6th round pick (171st overall,…
Atlanta Falcons received 2010 6th round pick (171st overall, Shann Schillinger); 2011 7th round pick (210th overall, Andrew Jackson) in the 2010-03-08 exchange with Detroit Lions. Shann Schillinger became a reserve and special-teams safety, while Andrew Jackson did not create meaningful NFL value for Atlanta. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Atlanta Falcons surrendered, the result supports Detroit Lions Win and a C- grade for Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2010 6th round pick (171st overall, Shann Schillinger )
- pick 2011 7th round pick (210th overall, Andrew Jackson )
Detroit Lions Received
- player Chris Houston
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2010-03-08, Atlanta Falcons received 2010 6th round pick (171st overall, Shann Schillinger); 2011 7th round pick (210th overall, Andrew Jackson), while Detroit Lions received Chris Houston. The comparison is limited to the consideration each club controlled directly after the transaction. Later moves involving an acquired pick or player are separate transactions, so they are used only to explain provenance when useful and are not counted as additional compensation here.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Shann Schillinger became a reserve and special-teams safety, while Andrew Jackson did not create meaningful NFL value for Atlanta. The practical question is how much useful football value the incoming side actually created through starts, playing time, production, roster longevity, or retained draft capital. That return is weighed against what Atlanta Falcons gave up, with the size of the transaction kept in proportion.
Detroit Lions Return
Chris Houston started 54 games across four Detroit seasons, intercepted 10 passes and gave the Lions a legitimate starting corner for a very small draft cost. The same standard applies to Detroit Lions. A larger number of pieces does not automatically mean a better trade; quality and durability matter more than raw asset count. That keeps the comparison centered on realized football value rather than the appearance of the package on the day of the exchange.
Value in Hindsight
Detroit acquired a starting corner for a sixth-round pick and a conditional seventh. Houston started 54 games over four Lions seasons and intercepted 10 passes, while Atlanta's Shann Schillinger was primarily a reserve and special-teams player and Andrew Jackson did not produce comparable NFL value. The final package therefore favors Detroit clearly. The exchange is documented well enough to support a firm hindsight judgment. The grades reflect the difference between what each side received and what those assets actually became for the clubs, while avoiding credit for unrelated transactions that happened later. Short-term usefulness matters, but sustained starting value, premium production, or durable draft value carries more weight.
Final Verdict
Atlanta Falcons receives a C- and Detroit Lions receives a B+. The verdict is Detroit Lions Win. This result reflects the direct package, the value each team actually realized, and the separation created by those outcomes rather than the nominal size of either side's return.