Atlanta moved up six spots for Matthew Bergeron, who became…
Atlanta moved up six spots for Matthew Bergeron, who became an immediate fixture at left guard and started 49 games over his first three seasons. Indianapolis turned the move down into Julius Brents and Adetomiwa Adebawore; Adebawore developed into a useful rotational defender, but Brents' Colts tenure was limited by injuries. Bergeron's steady starting value gives Atlanta the clearer return.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2023 2nd round pick (38th overall, Matthew Bergeron )
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2023 2nd round pick (44th overall, Julius Brents)
- pick 2023 4th round pick (110th overall, Adetomiwa Adebawore )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Atlanta traded the 44th and 110th selections to Indianapolis for pick No. 38 in the 2023 draft. The Falcons selected offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron. Indianapolis used No. 44 on cornerback Julius Brents and No. 110 on defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore. The Colts gained an extra top-110 selection by moving back only six spots, giving them the stronger quantity proposition on draft night.
Why Atlanta Gets the Edge
Bergeron turned the aggressive move into dependable starting value. He became Atlanta's left guard immediately and started 49 games across the 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons. Availability matters in evaluating a trade-up for an offensive lineman, and Bergeron gave the Falcons continuity at a position where stability is especially valuable. Atlanta paid an additional fourth-rounder, but it did so for a player who quickly justified a regular role.
How Indianapolis' Package Developed
Adebawore became a useful rotational defender and reached 6.5 career sacks through 2025, including four sacks that season. Brents' outcome was less favorable for Indianapolis. He played only 11 games for the Colts across 2023 and 2024 before his career continued elsewhere. The two-player package therefore produced some legitimate value, but not enough combined reliability to outweigh Bergeron's three seasons as a full-time starter.
Final Verdict
Atlanta receives a B+ and the win; Indianapolis gets a B-. The Colts' trade-down logic was sound and Adebawore has contributed, but Bergeron's 49 starts are the strongest realized outcome. The Falcons paid extra capital and received the dependable starter they targeted.