Atlanta Falcons received 2011 5th round pick (145th overall,…
Atlanta Falcons received 2011 5th round pick (145th overall, Jacquizz Rodgers) in the 2011-04-30 exchange with Los Angeles Rams. Jacquizz Rodgers became a useful multi-year back, receiver and return option, giving Atlanta far more practical value than the late picks it surrendered. The direct return and the football value it produced drive the hindsight judgment. Against the assets Atlanta Falcons surrendered, the result supports Atlanta Falcons Win and a B+ grade for Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2011 5th round pick (145th overall, Jacquizz Rodgers )
Los Angeles Rams Received
- pick 2011 5th round pick (158th overall, Jermale Hines )
- pick 2011 7th round pick (229th overall, Jonathan Nelson )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2011-04-30, Atlanta Falcons received 2011 5th round pick (145th overall, Jacquizz Rodgers), while Los Angeles Rams received 2011 5th round pick (158th overall, Jermale Hines); 2011 7th round pick (229th overall, Jonathan Nelson). 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
Jacquizz Rodgers became a useful multi-year back, receiver and return option, giving Atlanta far more practical value than the late picks it surrendered. 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.
Los Angeles Rams Return
Jermale Hines and Jonathan Nelson had only brief NFL careers, so the two-pick return never approached Rodgers' sustained contribution. The same standard applies to Los Angeles Rams. 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
Atlanta used No.145 on Jacquizz Rodgers, who became a 110-game NFL running back with 2,067 rushing yards and meaningful receiving and return value. St. Louis used Nos.158 and 229 on Jermale Hines and Jonathan Nelson, who combined for only a small NFL footprint. The direct realized value strongly favors Atlanta. 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 B+ and Los Angeles Rams receives a D. The verdict is Atlanta Falcons 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.