New England Patriots & Atlanta Falcons Complete Trade


The New England Patriots are sending tight end Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 7th-round pick.

The move will free up $4.4 million in cap space for the Patriots.

The 27-year-old Smith is coming off his worst NFL season, other than his rookie year in 2017, recording 27 receptions for 245 yards and zero touchdowns over 14 games. However, poor quarterback play did not help him at all.

He's entering his seventh NFL season, having compiled 169 receptions, 1,841 yards and 17 touchdowns across 90 career games.

Smith still has a lot left in the tank. The 6-foot-3, 248 lbs tight end has an impressive ability to break tackles, recording 200 yards after the catch with a team-high average of 7.4 yards after the catch, per reception, and just two dropped passes this past season. 

However, he's not exactly going to a better quarterback in Atlanta as, right now, Desmond Ridder is the starting QB for the Falcons and he didn't exactly look that great in his rookie season this year.

That being said, there's still plenty of time for the Falcons to make a move in free agency and, with the amount of cap space they have, there is a very good possibility that they bring in a capable QB this offseason.

Smith rejoins Arthur Smith, who was his coordinator when they were together in Tennessee.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports