The Atlanta Falcons were quiet on Monday when the NFL’s free-agent tampering period began, but things picked up on Tuesday. After restructuring Matt Ryan’s contract in the afternoon, the team acquired a new tight end later on Tuesday evening.
Per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons have sent a 2022 late-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for TE Lee Smith.
A trade: Bills are trading TE Lee Smith to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2022 late-round pick, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
Smith was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft, but ended up in Buffalo as a rookie. He would play four seasons for the Bills, then four with the Oakland Raiders, before returning to Buffalo for two more years.
Over his 10 NFL seasons, Smith has played primarily as a blocking tight end. In 133 career games, he has 64 catches for 458 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Falcons re-signed tight end Jaeden Graham earlier in the week, and with Smith’s acquisition, the team has addressed what was somewhat of a need. Smith’s salary cap hit is $2.25 million, which isn’t bad, especialy after Ryan’s restructure.
