The Atlanta Falcons are scheduled to pick twice tonight. As anticipated, they did not move back into the first round, given that it would have cost them a quality player and/or future draft capital. Instead, they’ll go into the evening with a chance to add to the roster, make trades, or both.
Here’s what to watch for tonight.
A big fall
I imagine Ian Cunningham would like to stay put and let a terrific player or two fall his way. The new Falcons general manager has been preaching patience with both words and actions,
and if there’s a glut of quality guys by the time their pick rolls around, he’ll be able to either pick someone he likes or move down for more capital. I know Cunningham would like to leave the evening with more picks than he arrived with.
If Aveion Terrell, Lee Hunter, Jacob Rodriguez, Denzel Boston, and others who were viewed as borderline first rounders heading into last night should fall further than anticipated owing to fortune and fate, then don’t be at all shocked to see Atlanta move down a few spots in exchange for a couple of day three picks. If it’s someone like Rodriguez, who seems like an ideal fit for this team and fills a massive position of need, the Falcons may just snap him up.
Trade(s)
We can’t rule out a Kyle Pitts trade until the second day is over, even if I don’t expect him to be moved. But as I mentioned above, one or more trades would not surprise me in the slightest, given that this is a draft class where the talent level is going to flatten out sooner than later.
If Cunningham wants to stock the draft war chest for next year or just add more talent this year, moving down in the second in particular is likely to yield a solid return. That could in turn give you the flexibility to pounce in the third round if you need to move up a couple of spots to avoid being left in the cold on a positional run for, say, wide receiver or defensive tackle.
Cunningham may prove to be truly patient, content to wait and make two picks with the knowledge that someone the team likes is going to fall to him. I would not bet against moves, however.
Clarity around the team’s draft philosophy
The Falcons have talked about best player available, wanting more picks, and a general openness to listening to trade offers for anyone on the roster. What they haven’t done to this point is anything but talk, thanks to a lack of opportunities to do so.
So this second day will be a rubber meets the road moment, one we’re hotly anticipating. What does BPA mean for the Falcons, who will be looking to get a pair of starters (at minimum) tonight? Do they view this class as one worth adding more picks for, or will they want to stock up next year when they might be pursuing a quarterback? Is there a deal that could get them to move, say, Pitts or Jessie Bates, or are they only going to listen to deals that absolutely blow Cunningham’s socks off? How much does roster need factor into all of this?
We can’t and won’t get all our answers based on one day in one draft, but it’s the first real opportunity to see how this front office wants to operate. I’m looking forward to learning more.
