Atlanta Falcons received Leonard Mitchell. Atlanta acquired…
Atlanta Falcons received Leonard Mitchell. Atlanta acquired Leonard Mitchell, who started all 12 games he played for the Falcons in 1987. That gave Atlanta real short-term starting value from the exchange even though Mitchell did not become a long-term fixture. Mitchell helped Atlanta immediately, but Philadelphia's conversion of No. 83 into part of the move for Eric Allen created the stronger lasting return. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Leonard Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 1988 fourth round pick (#83 subsequently traded, Robert "Pig" Goff)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On 1987-08-07, Atlanta Falcons received Leonard Mitchell, while Philadelphia Eagles received 1988 fourth round pick (#83 subsequently traded, Robert "Pig" Goff). Team and player records support the package. The comparison focuses on value each club controlled after the exchange.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta Falcons received Leonard Mitchell. Atlanta acquired Leonard Mitchell, who started all 12 games he played for the Falcons in 1987. That gave Atlanta real short-term starting value from the exchange even though Mitchell did not become a long-term fixture. Mitchell helped Atlanta immediately, but Philadelphia's conversion of No. 83 into part of the move for Eric Allen created the stronger lasting return. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Atlanta Falcons. The grade reflects the practical return created for this franchise rather than merely the name attached to a pick after later movement.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia Eagles received 1988 fourth round pick (#83 subsequently traded, Robert "Pig" Goff). Philadelphia received the 1988 fourth-round choice at No. 83 and later combined it with No. 39 to move to No. 30 for Eric Allen. That onward use created a much stronger long-term return than the original pick label alone suggests. Mitchell helped Atlanta immediately, but Philadelphia's conversion of No. 83 into part of the move for Eric Allen created the stronger lasting return. That outcome supports a B+ grade for Philadelphia Eagles. This side is judged on the value it actually controlled after the trade, including documented playing time and clearly traceable use of acquired selections.
Value in Hindsight
Mitchell helped Atlanta immediately, but Philadelphia's conversion of No. 83 into part of the move for Eric Allen created the stronger lasting return. The comparison gives the most weight to regular-season contribution, starting value, and clearly documented conversion of acquired draft capital. Later selections by another holder are useful for tracing a pick, but they are not treated as on-field production for a club that had already moved the asset.
Final Verdict
The final call is Philadelphia Eagles Win. Atlanta Falcons earns C+, and Philadelphia Eagles earns B+. Those grades match the supported package and the relative football value each side ultimately realized, without overstating the exchange or assigning another club's later player outcome to the wrong team.