Rams trade former No. 1 pick to Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons have acquired cornerback Tye Hill in a trade that sends the St. Louis Rams an undisclosed draft pick in 2010.

Hill, the 15th overall draft pick in 2006, missed most of the last two seasons with injuries. As a rookie, he started 10 of 16 games and finished with three interceptions, four passes defended and one fumble recovery.

The Falcons need more experience in a secondary that has two returning starters, free safety Erik Coleman and right cornerback Chris Houston. But in a preseason win last Saturday over San Diego, Houston was beaten several times, including a series in which the Chargers converted long third-down passes.

Meanwhile, the Falcons on Tuesday released three players: tight end Ben Hartsock, cornerback Von Hutchins and defensive end Willie Evans.

Hartsock and Hutchins were signed as free agents by Atlanta last season. Hartsock competed in 11 contests while contributing with three receptions for 26 yards last year. Hutchins missed the 2008 campaign after being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury prior to the start of the regular season.

Evans was signed by the Falcons as a free agent on January 8, 2008. After being waived by the team following training camp last year, he was signed to the teamâ