Denver acquired defensive lineman Andrew Provence in May…
Denver acquired defensive lineman Andrew Provence in May 1988. Provence then spent the next two seasons on injured reserve and did not provide regular-season production for the Broncos. With Atlanta's conditional late-round return also producing no clearly established standout payoff, Denver's C grade fits a transaction that generated little realized football value on either side.
Denver Broncos Received
- player Andrew Provence
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1989 conditional tenth-round pick (roster condition; selection not identified)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1988-05-10, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons completed this exchange. Denver Broncos received Andrew Provence, while Atlanta Falcons received 1989 conditional tenth-round pick (roster condition; selection not identified). Historical team, player, draft, and transaction records support the compensation and provide enough career context to compare the practical value each franchise ultimately received.
Denver Broncos Return
Denver acquired defensive lineman Andrew Provence in May 1988. Provence then spent the next two seasons on injured reserve and did not provide regular-season production for the Broncos. With Atlanta's conditional late-round return also producing no clearly established standout payoff, Denver's C grade fits a transaction that generated little realized football value on either side.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta moved Andrew Provence to Denver for a conditional 1989 tenth-round selection tied to a roster condition. The exact downstream player attached to that condition is not established clearly enough to name, so the cautious asset description remains appropriate. Because Provence produced no regular-season value for Denver, Atlanta's C grade reflects a low-impact exchange without evidence of a meaningful advantage.
Value in Hindsight
The practical result is low-impact on both sides. Provence never appeared in a regular-season game for Denver after the trade, and Atlanta's conditional late-round return cannot be tied confidently to a meaningful downstream player from the available record. Without a clear realized advantage, equal C grades fit the evidence. The existing conditional-pick wording is preferable to inventing precision that the historical materials do not support.
Final Verdict
The final call is Even Trade. Atlanta Falcons earns a C, and Denver Broncos earns a C. The grades reflect Provence's absence from Denver regular-season production and the lack of a clearly established major payoff from Atlanta's conditional tenth-round return.