A Falcons Trade With Houston May Be Less Than What You Think
By Jake Bennett
Nov 23, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) sits out the game against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers with an injury during the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY
Reports surfaced this week that the Atlanta Falcons are seriously considering a trade with the Houston Texans for the 1st pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. If the rumors are true, which they likely are, many Falcons fans are going to call for Dimitroff’s head. A lack of depth from the Julio trade contributed to a horrid season in 2013, so can Atlanta afford another trade up? Of course.
The Texans are in an odd situation. Everyone suspects they want a quarterback, and that they won’t be able to secure their guy in the second round. However, none of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft warrant the first pick like Jadeveon Clowney.
Houston would like to trade down, but there aren’t many potential partners willing to make the move. Buffalo and Detroit have expressed interest in trading up, but Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater could be gone by their selections. Dimitroff, sitting at 6, is famous for his annual trades, and the Texans know he would love to have Jadeveon in the red and black. To spark a trade, Houston has been showing “major interest” in the South Carolina product, trying to convince Atlanta that they will need to pay a pretty penny to secure his talents.
Luckily for us, the Falcons’ front office have their jobs on the line, and can’t afford to sell the farm for one player. Houston would like to take their quarterback, but get additional picks as well. If they went ahead and took a QB at 1, what good does it do them to have the Falcons trade up to No.2 or 3 to take Clowney?
I truly believe the Falcons will call Houston’s bluff, and make a reasonable offer for No.1 that wouldn’t include this year’s 2nd or next year’s 1st. This is all merely speculation, but it could actually be the case with all the trade talk heating up.