Minnesota sent pick No. 168 to Atlanta in the 2014 draft for…
Minnesota sent pick No. 168 to Atlanta in the 2014 draft for picks No. 182 and No. 220. Atlanta selected linebacker Marquis Spruill, while Minnesota took defensive back Antone Exum and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen. Stephen became a long-term NFL lineman and multi-year Vikings starter, easily providing the strongest return in the transaction. Exum added further depth, making Minnesota's trade-down a clear success.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2014 5th round pick (168th overall, Marquis Spruill )
Minnesota Vikings Received
- pick 2014 6th round pick (182nd overall, Antone Exum )
- pick 2014 7th round pick (220th overall, Shamar Stephen )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On May 10, 2014, Atlanta acquired the No. 168 pick from Minnesota. The Vikings received No. 182 in the sixth round and No. 220 in the seventh. Atlanta drafted linebacker Marquis Spruill. Minnesota selected defensive back Antone Exum with the first acquired choice and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen with the second. The Vikings effectively traded one fifth-round opportunity for two later defensive prospects.
Minnesota Vikings Return
Stephen became the centerpiece of Minnesota's win. The seventh-round pick developed into a durable NFL defensive tackle who played 115 career games and spent multiple seasons as a Vikings starter. That is an excellent outcome from No. 220. Exum also contributed as a reserve defensive back and special-teams player, giving Minnesota additional roster value from the sixth-round portion of the return. The two-player approach paid off in both depth and longevity.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Spruill suffered a torn Achilles before his rookie season and never established an NFL regular-season career. Injuries are not a front office's fault in a moral sense, but trade grades measure outcomes. Atlanta paid an extra selection to move up for a specific linebacker and received no comparable regular-season production. The cost was modest, yet the move failed to generate the player value the Falcons sought.
Value in Hindsight
This is a clean example of a trade-down working. Minnesota accepted a 14-pick drop, doubled its opportunities and found a long-term contributor with the later of the two selections. Atlanta concentrated its draft capital and lost the bet. Stephen's career alone would be enough to favor Minnesota; Exum's contribution widens the margin.
Final Verdict
Minnesota wins, B- to C. The Vikings turned one fifth-round pick into two roster players and found a multi-year starter in Stephen, while Atlanta's move-up for Spruill produced no lasting NFL return.