Atlanta moved down two spots from No. 50 to No. 52 and added…
Atlanta moved down two spots from No. 50 to No. 52 and added Houston's sixth-round pick at No. 195. The Falcons selected linebacker Deion Jones and guard Wes Schweitzer, turning the modest slide into two future starters. Jones became a Pro Bowl defender and a central piece of Atlanta's 2016 Super Bowl team, while Schweitzer developed into a multi-year starter. Houston used No. 50 on center Nick Martin, a solid long-term starter, but Atlanta created more total value.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2016 2nd round pick (52nd overall, Deion Jones )
- pick 2016 6th round pick (195th overall, Wes Schweitzer)
Houston Texans Received
- pick 2016 2nd round pick (50th overall, Nick Martin)
Trade Analysis
Atlanta's move was small but productive. The Falcons sent pick No. 50 to Houston and received picks No. 52 and No. 195, moving down only two spots while adding a sixth-round selection. Atlanta used No. 52 on LSU linebacker Deion Jones and No. 195 on guard Wes Schweitzer. Houston used the higher second-round choice on Notre Dame center Nick Martin.
Jones quickly became one of the fastest and most productive players on Atlanta's defense. As a rookie he started 13 games, intercepted three passes and returned two of them for touchdowns while helping the Falcons reach Super Bowl LI. He followed that with a Pro Bowl season in 2017 and remained a defensive centerpiece for several more years. His range in coverage and playmaking ability made him far more impactful than the average second-round linebacker.
Schweitzer added another layer to Atlanta's return. A sixth-round pick, he became a starter on the offensive line and opened 36 regular-season games for the Falcons before continuing his career elsewhere. Getting that much service from the extra pick strengthens the trade considerably.
Houston still made a good selection. Martin missed his rookie season with an ankle injury but then became the Texans' starting center, starting 55 games from 2017 through 2020 and earning a three-year extension in 2019. He provided stability at an important offensive-line position, so the original C grade is too harsh.
The difference is that Atlanta received both the best player and additional starting value while surrendering only two draft slots. The Falcons earn an A- for Jones' Pro Bowl-level peak, Super Bowl-season contribution and Schweitzer's useful career. Houston earns a B because Martin became a legitimate multi-year starter. Atlanta wins, but this is a quality return on both sides rather than a one-sided failure.