The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

Atlanta Falcons:  The Michael Vick trade

By 2001, the final hopes created by the 1998 Atlanta Falcons who had reached the Super Bowl were evaporated. The team was old in too many places, especially quarterback and in need of new blood. What the franchise really desired was a jolt to get the organization and the fans hyped for the future. Management saw that solution at their fingertips in the draft with Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick. The problem was they held the #5 pick and there was little chance he’d drop to them.

So they worked out a deal with the San Diego Chargers, who held the #1 pick to swap spots while also giving up a 3rd round pick and productive receiver/return man Tim Dwight. It proved to be a mutually beneficial deal. The Chargers ended up taking LaDainian Tomlinson and the Falcons got one of the most electrifying football players the NFL had ever seen. Vick became a household name, dazzling defenses with his incredible mix of speed and athleticism.

He became the only quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, reached three Pro Bowls and got Falcons to the NFC championship in 2004. His reign came to a sad end when he went to jail for dog fighting charges, but there is no doubt that this trade did wonders for Atlanta football during its height.

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