During Thomas Dimitroff’s first 11 NFL drafts as the Atlanta Falcons general manager, he has shown the willingness to make moves for players he covets. With nine selections in this week’s draft, should we expect Dimitroff to again use some of that ammunition to make a move?
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Falcons are among two teams he hears could make a trade into the top-10 picks of tonight's first round.
Two teams that have shown a willingness to trade into the top 10, doing their homework on what it would cost: The #Falcons and the #Redskins. For Washington, it would likely be for a QB. For Atlanta, the options are varied.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2019
Here is a possible trade-up target:
Clemson DT Christian Wilkins is one logical #Falcons target, but I’ve spoken to NFL people who are convinced it’s for Michigan LB Devin Bush. They’d likely have to get past #Broncos at 10. https://t.co/GY4YTh0rS2
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2019
The Falcons have made their share of big moves before.
In 2008, Dimitroff traded several picks with the Redskins to select Sam Baker, Harry Douglas and Kroy Biermann. In 2011, the team sent five picks to Cleveland to move up 21 places and draft Julio Jones. And in 2013, the Falcons held the 30th overall pick in this draft, but traded up eight spots to grab University of Washington corner Desmond Trufant.
With Atlanta needing help on the defensive line, could they trade up into the defense-rich top-10 to select a cornerstone piece, such as Houston's Ed Oliver or Kentucky's Josh Allen is he somehow falls past the top five picks? Offensive line is another area of interest, and three tackles — Alabama's Jonah Williams, Florida'a Jawaan Taylor and Washington State's Andre Dillard all have received top-10 buzz in the past few days.
Whether the Falcons move up or not tonight, I expect the team to at least make the calls. And, as history shows, when Atlanta moves up, it has a pretty good track record of selecting the right player.
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