Atlanta’s GM can stand pat and take the top player on his team’s big board, which could be a pass rusher like Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, or Jared Verse. Or Fontenot could shock the NFL world and take a fourth consecutive skill player like Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers.
He could also do something else he’s never done before and make a trade. With so many teams that need a quarterback, tackle, and/or receiver, the Falcons could auction off the 8th overall pick.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN created 32 first-round trade scenarios, and three of them include Atlanta. Let’s dissect each one.
Vikings get: 1-4, 4-104 (from Cardinals)
Cardinals get: 1-23, 2025 first-round pick (from Vikings), 1-8 (from Falcons)
Falcons get: 1-11 (from Vikings), 3-71 (from Cardinals)
Essentially for the Falcons, Terry Fontenot moves back three spots to the 11th pick, adding an extra third-round pick. What should be noted is Arizona’s third-rounder is the 71st pick, which would give the Falcons five top 100 picks, including four in the top 75.
If the Falcons are steadfast in their desire to draft a pass rusher, the value at the 11th pick for Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, or Laiatu Latu could be seen as more accurate.
Jets get: 1-8, 4-109, 5-143
Falcons get: 1-10, 3-72
Another short move down the board, which Barnwell notes is what he expects if the Falcons do make a trade.
“I would be surprised if GM Terry Fontenot made a major move down the board unless a team paid a premium, but with the Bears and Jets both likely to look toward the offensive side of the ball, dropping down two spots won’t hurt Atlanta much, if at all.”
The Falcons pick up an extra third-round pick, once again another top-75 selection, but this time, the team parts ways with a fourth and fifth-round pick. It’s a worse deal for Atlanta compared to the three-team trade with Arizona and Minnesota.
Falcons get: 1-13, 3-77, EDGE Malcolm Koonce
Raiders get: 1-8
For the final trade, we have a player involved! The Falcons again move back slightly, acquiring an extra third-round pick, this one outside of the top 75, but they pick up an edge defender in Malcolm Koonce.
He’s a promising pass rusher who posted eight sacks and 17 quarterback knockdowns in only 11 starts across from Maxx Crosby last season. Though he’s entering a contract year, the Falcons could easily retain him in free agency next offseason or even extend him before he even hits the open market.
Out of all three of these trade scenarios from Barnwell, the one with the Raiders is the most enticing for the Falcons, in my opinion.
