Atlanta moved up to No. 111 and selected Kendall Sheffield.…
Atlanta moved up to No. 111 and selected Kendall Sheffield. Sheffield gave the Falcons real defensive-back snaps and some useful service, so the trade was not a failure for Atlanta. The issue is that the single higher selection did not ultimately outproduce Detroit's two-player return. That result supports a C- grade within the Detroit Lions Win verdict.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2019 4th round pick (111th overall, Kendall Sheffield )
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2019 4th round pick (117th overall, Austin Bryant )
- pick 2019 6th round pick (186th overall, Ty Johnson )
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 2019-04-27, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions completed an exchange in which Atlanta Falcons received 2019 4th round pick (111th overall, Kendall Sheffield), while Detroit Lions received 2019 4th round pick (117th overall, Austin Bryant) and 2019 6th round pick (186th overall, Ty Johnson). Both sides obtained identifiable football value, so the hindsight comparison turns on what those pieces actually produced after the move rather than on the number of names or selections in the package. The later careers and roster roles provide the clearest way to separate the returns.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta moved up to No. 111 and selected Kendall Sheffield. Sheffield gave the Falcons real defensive-back snaps and some useful service, so the trade was not a failure for Atlanta. The issue is that the single higher selection did not ultimately outproduce Detroit's two-player return. That result supports a C- grade within the Detroit Lions Win verdict. The grade reflects realized contribution, role, and duration rather than the apparent size of the package on the transaction date.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received No. 117, used on Austin Bryant, and No. 186, used on Ty Johnson. Neither became a franchise-changing player, but together they supplied more aggregate professional value than Sheffield gave Atlanta, which is enough to tilt a modest draft-day exchange. That result supports a B grade within the Detroit Lions Win verdict. The comparison gives weight to actual professional contribution and does not treat a larger asset count as automatically more valuable.
Value in Hindsight
This is a case where two ordinary outcomes can beat one ordinary outcome. Detroit's edge comes from combined contribution, not from landing a star. That distinction also keeps the grade below elite territory even though the Lions clearly did better. Looking back at the completed careers and downstream outcomes makes the relative value clearer than it was on the day of the exchange.
Final Verdict
Detroit wins with a B, while Atlanta receives a C-. The Lions converted the move down into the stronger overall return without turning the transaction into a major coup. The grades are intentionally scaled to the modest size of the transaction and the strength of the documented on-field return.