Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons Nearly Made Blockbuster NFL Draft Trade

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated 5/1/24

The Atlanta Falcons are not typically one of the most discussed teams in the NFL, but their decisions in the draft last week has everyone talking.

The Falcons took University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick, which was a shocking move given that they just signed Kirk Cousins to a massive deal in free agency.

If that wasn’t enough, we are now also hearing that Atlanta tried to make a blockbuster trade.

In a behind-the-scenes video of the New York Jets draft room, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is seen getting off of the phone with a Falcons executive. Douglas tells one of the people in the room that Atlanta was trying to move up to the 10th overall pick in the draft, which New York owned at that time (the Jets ultimately traded the pick to the Minnesota Vikings).

This is interesting: #Jets GM Joe Douglas says the #Falcons told him they are sticking and picking at No. 8 and then would also be interested in trading for the Jets' No. 10 pick….

So it seems like Atlanta wanted Michael Penix Jr. and then wanted to come back all the way back… pic.twitter.com/9LkhQPoG6E
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 1, 2024

But here is the catch: this was before the Falcons even took Penix, indicating that Atlanta may have planned on selecting Penix at No. 8 and then potentially grabbing a defender at No. 10.

The general expectation all along was that the Falcons were going to select a defensive player with the eighth pick, and many mock drafts had them choosing University of Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.

Of course, the rest is history.

Atlanta was unable to secure a deal for another first-round pick and went with Penix. It did go defense with its next selection, nabbing Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro early in the second round, but it did not land one of the top pass rushers like many had anticipated.

You have to wonder just what the Falcons offered the Jets for No. 10. Whatever it was, it obviously was not as good of a package as what the Vikings offered. Remember: Minnesota initially owned the 11th pick and traded up one spot with New York to select University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

If Atlanta was able to entice the Jets, perhaps the Falcons would have ended up with someone like Turner or Laiata Latu, and all of the negative chatter surrounding the puzzling Penix pick would not be as loud.

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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