The Falcons and Eagles wrapped up a deal Wednesday that sends veteran cornerback Asante Samuel to Atlanta in exchange for an undisclosed draft choice, the Falcons announced on Wednesday.

While the draft choice was not disclosed, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Eagles will receive the Falcons’ seventh round draft choice, the 229th overall pick in the draft . Samuel has also agreed to restructure the two years and $21.5 million remaining on his contract, agreeing to a three-year, $18.5 million deal with Atlanta.

“We are pleased to be able to add a player of Asante’s caliber to our roster, “Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “Asante has established himself as a very productive player during his career. He is a proven player in this league and we feel that this move upgrades the talent of our roster and improves our football team.”

Dimitroff was the Director of College Scouting with the New England Patriots when they selected Samuel in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. During his nine-year career, the last four with the Eagles, Samuel has 45 interceptions, five he’s returned for touchdowns, and 123 passes defensed, earning four trips to the Pro Bowl (2007-10).

Samuel gives the Falcons a third starting-caliber cornerback, joining Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes. Robinson restructured his contract last month, reducing his cash payout this year by $4 million, though his $5 million salary is guaranteed. Grimes signed his franchise tender on Tuesday, guaranteeing him $10.281 million for the upcoming season.

By trading Samuel, the Eagles save $10 million in cash and clear $9 million in cap space, both of which could be used to extend the contract of running back LeSean McCoy and perhaps Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who will replace Samuel in the starting lineup and has just one season remaining on his current contract.

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A report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that the Falcons are “on the verge” of acquiring cornerback Asante Samuel from the Eagles.

According to Schefter, the Eagles will receive a late round draft choice for Samuel. The Falcons have six picks in this week’s draft, including one fifth round, one sixth round and a pair of seventh round draft choices, though one of the seventh round picks is a compensatory choice and can not be traded.

Samuel, 31, has been on the block after the Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year, $60 million contract and acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from the Arizona Cardinals in the Kevin Kolb trade last summer. As part of any trade, Samuel is expected to restructure the two years and $21.5 million remaining on his current contract, that calls for a $9.9 million base salary,and $100,000 workout bonus in 2012. Atlanta has less than $2 million in cap space and could not add Samuel without a restructured deal.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and Assistant Director of Player Personnel Lional Vital were in the lead positions of the New England Patriots’ college scouting department when New England selected Asante Samuel with a fourth round draft choice in the 2003 NFL Draft. Over his nine-year career, Samuel has 45 interceptions, five he’s returned for touchdowns, and 123 passes defensed, earning four trips to the Pro Bowl.

The Falcons already have two solid cornerbacks in Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes, who signed his $10.281 million franchise tender on Tuesday. Atlanta also has Dominique Franks and Christopher Owens, who will now compete for a dime cornerback role to earn a roster spot.

UDPATE (1:58pm EST) – A proposed trade that will send cornerback Asante Samuel to the Falcons moved one step closer to completion on Wednesday afternoon with Samuel agreeing to terms on a three-year, $18.5 million contract with the Falcons, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Samuel had two years and $21.5 million remaining on his current contract, including a $9.9 million base salary and $100,000 workout bonus in 2012. Adding Samuel without a revised contract was not possible, as they were just $1.656 million under their adjusted cap number of $125.423 million for the 2012 season.

Neither team has confirmed the trade, which is expected to involve the Falcons’ sixth round pick (192nd overall).

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