Atlanta Falcons traded reserve lineman Quinn Ojinnaka to New…
Atlanta Falcons traded reserve lineman Quinn Ojinnaka to New England for the 2011 seventh-round pick that became No. 230, Cliff Matthews. Ojinnaka appeared in only eight games with no starts for the Patriots, while Matthews became a multi-season depth defensive lineman in Atlanta. Turning a reserve player into several years of roster utility gives the Falcons a B- and the win.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2011 7th round pick (230th overall, Cliff Matthews )
New England Patriots Received
- player Quinn Ojinnaka
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Atlanta traded reserve offensive lineman Quinn Ojinnaka to New England in August 2010 for draft consideration that resolved as a 2011 seventh-round pick. The selection became No. 230, Cliff Matthews. Ojinnaka appeared in only eight games for the Patriots and did not start. Matthews, meanwhile, remained with Atlanta as a depth defensive lineman across multiple seasons. The late-round transaction therefore produced more lasting roster value for the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons Return
The Falcons moved a reserve player and turned the compensation into someone who stayed on the roster for several years. Matthews was not a star or a high-volume starter, so the return should not be overstated. Still, multi-season depth from the final portion of the draft is useful, particularly when the outgoing player had a limited role. A B- rewards the efficiency without pretending the trade changed the franchise.
New England Patriots Return
The Patriots were buying experienced offensive line depth for a very small price. That kind of move can be reasonable during roster construction, but Ojinnaka's eight games and zero starts show that the actual contribution was limited. New England did not sacrifice a premium asset, which keeps the grade above the bottom range, yet the club received less practical value than Atlanta ultimately extracted from the pick.
Value in Hindsight
The comparison is simple: Atlanta obtained several seasons of roster utility from Cliff Matthews, while New England received only a brief stretch of depth from Ojinnaka. Seventh-round picks often produce little or nothing, so the Falcons deserve credit for converting the selection into a player who stuck around. The Patriots' low acquisition cost softens the loss, but it does not erase the difference in realized value.
Final Verdict
Atlanta Falcons Win remains the correct verdict, with Atlanta at B- and New England at C-. The Falcons turned a reserve lineman into a draft choice that produced multi-season depth. The Patriots paid only a seventh-rounder, but Ojinnaka's short, start-free tenure provided limited return. The transaction was small, yet Atlanta clearly came away with the more durable football value.