Denver traded picks 40 and 114 to Atlanta for No. 35 and No.…
Denver traded picks 40 and 114 to Atlanta for No. 35 and No. 219, then selected running back Javonte Williams and receiver Seth Williams. Atlanta turned its return into safety Richie Grant and center Drew Dalman. Javonte Williams delivered productive seasons despite a major knee injury, but Dalman became a multi-year starting center and Grant also supplied defensive snaps. The Falcons received two useful starters from the premium Denver paid to move up.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2021 2nd round pick (40th overall, Richie Grant)
- pick 2021 4th round pick (114th overall, Drew Dalman)
Denver Broncos Received
- pick 2021 2nd round pick (35th overall, Javonte Williams)
- pick 2021 6th round pick (219th overall, Seth Williams)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Denver moved from No. 40 to No. 35 in the 2021 second round, sending Atlanta pick No. 114 and receiving No. 219 in return. The Broncos selected North Carolina running back Javonte Williams at No. 35 and later used No. 219 on wide receiver Seth Williams. Atlanta selected safety Richie Grant at No. 40 and center Drew Dalman at No. 114. The trade was a targeted move for Denver and a value-oriented slide for Atlanta.
Why Atlanta Came Out Ahead
Dalman became the key to the Falcons' side. A fourth-round center who develops into a multi-year starter creates excellent surplus value, and Atlanta received that selection only because Denver paid to move up five spots. Grant also provided meaningful defensive snaps and starting experience. Neither player became a superstar, but the Falcons generated two useful contributors from the return and received production at positions where inexpensive starters are especially valuable over a rookie contract.
How Denver Fared
Javonte Williams made the Broncos' move defensible. He was immediately productive, ran with power and contact balance, and became a major part of the offense. A severe knee injury in 2022 interrupted his trajectory, but he returned to handle substantial workloads afterward. Seth Williams did not add much to the return, leaving the trade largely dependent on Javonte's production. Denver got a good player; it simply paid enough for Atlanta to create more total value.
Final Verdict
Atlanta earns a B+ and Denver a B. This is not a lopsided trade because Javonte Williams gave the Broncos several seasons of useful backfield production. The Falcons win narrowly because moving down five spots produced both Grant and Dalman, with Dalman becoming a long-term starting center. Two contributors and greater positional longevity outweigh Denver's strong but more concentrated return.