New England received the 1978 eighth-round pick used on Terry…
New England received the 1978 eighth-round pick used on Terry Falcon. Falcon made the Patriots and appeared in 18 games across 1978 and 1979, but he never started. The pick produced legitimate reserve depth, yet it did not approach the immediate starting and turnover production Philadelphia received from John Sanders.
New England Patriots Received
- pick 1978 eighth round pick (#198-Terry Falcon)
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player John Sanders (b)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
New England traded defensive back John Sanders to Philadelphia on September 6, 1977 for an eighth-round pick in the 1978 draft. That selection became Terry Falcon at No. 198. Because both downstream outcomes are identifiable, the trade can be judged cleanly by Sanders' Eagles production against Falcon's Patriots role.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Sanders became an immediate starter. In 1977 he played 14 games, started 12 and intercepted six passes. In 1978 he started all 15 games and added five more interceptions. Across those first two Philadelphia seasons alone, Sanders delivered 27 starts and 11 interceptions, an unusually strong return for the cost of an eighth-round selection.
New England Patriots Return
Falcon made the Patriots and provided reserve depth. He appeared in 18 games across 1978 and 1979 but did not make a start. Reaching the roster from an eighth-round pick has value, so New England did not receive nothing. The scale of that contribution, however, was far below the starting workload and ball production Sanders supplied in Philadelphia.
Value in Hindsight
The contrast is direct: Philadelphia bought two seasons of high-impact starting secondary play for a late-round pick, while New England used that pick on a reserve who appeared in 18 games without starting. Falcon's roster presence keeps the Patriots above a failing grade, but Sanders created substantially more realized football value.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia wins, B+ to C. Sanders' 27 starts and 11 interceptions across his first two Eagles seasons overwhelm the limited reserve return New England received from Falcon. This is a clear example of a modest acquisition price producing major short-term value.