Atlanta moved from No. 34 to No. 21 in the 2008 draft and…
Atlanta moved from No. 34 to No. 21 in the 2008 draft and received picks 84 and 154, turning the package into Sam Baker, Harry Douglas and Kroy Biermann. Washington received picks 34, 48 and 103, highlighted by tight end Fred Davis but undermined by the miss on Devin Thomas. Atlanta landed three meaningful contributors and clearly extracted more long-term value.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 2008 1st round pick (21st overall, Sam Baker)
- pick 2008 3rd round pick (84th overall, Harry Douglas)
- pick 2008 5th round pick (154th overall, Kroy Biermann)
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 2008 2nd round pick (34th overall, Devin Thomas )
- pick 2008 2nd round pick (48th overall, Fred Davis)
- pick 2008 4th round pick (103rd overall; traded to Tennessee for picks 124 and 157; pick 124 became Justin Tryon, and pick 157 was packaged with pick 228 to St. Louis for picks 168 and 180, used on Durant Brooks and Kareem Moore; Tennessee later selected William Hayes at 103)
Trade Analysis
Atlanta used the 2008 draft to build around rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, and this trade became one of the key supporting moves. The Falcons sent Washington picks 34, 48 and 103 for No. 21, No. 84 and No. 154. Atlanta selected tackle Sam Baker in the first round, receiver Harry Douglas in the third and defensive end Kroy Biermann in the fifth.
All three Falcons picks provided meaningful NFL service. Baker became a multi-year starting left tackle when healthy and started 61 games for Atlanta. Douglas developed into a dependable slot receiver and eventually posted a 1,000-yard season in 2013 while Julio Jones was injured. Biermann dramatically outperformed his draft position, spending eight seasons with Atlanta, starting 37 games and contributing as both a pass rusher and versatile defensive player. The package never produced a superstar, but it supplied years of useful support around the Ryan-era core.
Washington's side was much less successful. Devin Thomas, selected at No. 34, lasted only two-plus seasons with the team and never became the primary receiver envisioned. Fred Davis at No. 48 was the clear success, producing several productive seasons at tight end before injuries and availability issues shortened his peak. Washington later traded pick 103 for additional selections, creating more volume but not an impact comparable to Atlanta's three-player return.
The Falcons deserve an A- because all three acquired picks became useful players, including two long-term contributors, and the move helped stabilize a rebuilding roster. Washington earns a C- because Davis supplied real value but Thomas was a costly miss and the downstream pick maneuvering did not close the gap. Atlanta wins comfortably on cumulative starts, longevity and roster impact.