Atlanta traded Ronnie Lee to Seattle for a 1991 seventh-round…
Atlanta traded Ronnie Lee to Seattle for a 1991 seventh-round choice, No. 186 overall, associated with Mark Tucker. Recovering a pick for a veteran lineman was reasonable, but the compensation was late and carried limited expected value. Lee then started twenty-one games for Seattle over three seasons, a level of production that outweighed Atlanta’s modest draft return.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- pick 1991 seventh-round pick (186th overall, Mark Tucker)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- player Ronnie Lee
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle acquired veteran offensive tackle Ronnie Lee from Atlanta on August 28, 1990, sending the Falcons a seventh-round selection in the 1991 draft. The pick became No. 186 overall. Trades at that price point usually involve roster depth or short-term insurance, but Lee gave Seattle more than that. The Seahawks obtained a player capable of starting games while giving up one of the least valuable selections in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons Return
Atlanta traded Ronnie Lee to Seattle for a 1991 seventh-round choice, No. 186 overall, associated with Mark Tucker. Recovering a pick for a veteran lineman was reasonable, but the compensation was late and carried limited expected value. Lee then started twenty-one games for Seattle over three seasons, a level of production that outweighed Atlanta’s modest draft return.
Seattle Seahawks Return
Seattle acquired offensive tackle Ronnie Lee from Atlanta on August 28, 1990, for a 1991 seventh-round selection that became No. 186 overall. Lee played three seasons for the Seahawks, appearing in thirty-four games with twenty-one starts. That is strong realized value for a late-round pick and gives Seattle a clear advantage in the transaction.
Value in Hindsight
The comparison is straightforward because one side received known starting production and the other received late draft capital. Seattle’s investment was small, and Lee supplied three seasons of roster value with substantial starting work. Atlanta’s return was defensible but replaceable. When a seventh-round pick buys that many offensive-line starts, the acquiring club has usually beaten the expected value of the selection by a comfortable margin.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. Seattle earns a B+ for acquiring Ronnie Lee at a seventh-round cost and receiving thirty-four games with twenty-one starts. Atlanta receives a C because obtaining a draft choice was sensible, but the asset did not match the proven line value Seattle received. This is a clear, efficient Seahawks win without requiring Lee to have been a star.