Atlanta traded Mohamed Sanu to New England for a 2020…
Atlanta traded Mohamed Sanu to New England for a 2020 second-round pick that settled at No. 55. The Falcons later packaged that selection in the Hayden Hurst trade and received Hurst plus a fourth-rounder. Sanu's Patriots tenure lasted only eight regular-season games and one playoff appearance before he was released the next year, making Atlanta's premium draft return clearly more valuable.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2020 2nd round pick (55th overall subsequently traded, J.K. Dobbins )
New England Patriots Received
- player Mohamed Sanu
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
New England sent Atlanta a 2020 second-round pick for veteran receiver Mohamed Sanu on October 22, 2019. The selection ultimately became No. 55. Rather than use it directly, Atlanta later packaged No. 55 and a fifth-round pick to Baltimore for tight end Hayden Hurst and a fourth-round pick. The Patriots made the deal while trying to strengthen a defending-champion offense for another postseason run.
Why Atlanta Pulled Ahead
Sanu was an established, versatile receiver, but his New England tenure never justified a second-round price. He caught 26 passes in eight regular-season games for the Patriots, dealt with an ankle injury and was released before the 2020 season. Atlanta had already extracted premium capital from a veteran it was unlikely to build around long term. The Falcons then used that capital to acquire Hurst and another pick, extending the value of the original Sanu transaction into the next roster cycle.
How the Deal Aged
The trade looks especially expensive because second-round selections carry meaningful cost-controlled value and flexibility. New England received only a partial season and a playoff appearance from Sanu before the relationship ended. Atlanta did not turn No. 55 into a superstar of its own, and Hurst's Falcons tenure was relatively brief, but the club still converted Sanu into a young starting-caliber tight end plus additional draft capital. That is substantially more than the Patriots realized from the veteran receiver.
Final Verdict
Atlanta wins with an A-, while New England earns a D. The Patriots were justified in seeking immediate help, but the price and short tenure make the outcome difficult to defend. Atlanta sold at the right time and turned an aging receiver into one of the most valuable trade chips available outside the first round.