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Falcons 2016 Draft: Potential trade partners in first round

By Freddie Boston

Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the Atlanta Falcons look to move back in the 2016 NFL Draft, which teams are candidates to trade with?

With just five selections in this month’s draft, there is a real possibility the Atlanta Falcons look to move down in the first round and recoup some extra picks later on.

The Falcons have a number of holes on the roster in need of reinforcements, and the best policy might be to stock up on picks and take more swings of the bat. Barring a player like Shaq Lawson falling to Atlanta at No. 17, there’s a realistic chance Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff will be searching for a dance partner. Here’s three they could strike a deal with.

Minnesota Vikings (No. 23)

The Vikings might wait for whichever top wide receiver drops to them at No. 23, or they could alternatively look to move up slightly and grab a talent like Laquon Treadwell or Josh Doctson. Doctson would be a perfect fit in Minnesota giving Teddy Bridgewater a legitimate threat in the passing game at long last.

For the Falcons, they would move down just six spots and would likely be able to receive a third and fourth round pick sent back their way. It would be a smart piece of business for Atlanta if the Vikings were interested.

Green Bay Packers (No. 27)

Green Bay isn’t a team often looking to move up in the draft, but they have a need at inside linebacker and could look to go grab Reggie Ragland or Darron Lee. The Packers missed out on C.J. Mosley two years ago and haven’t been able to find an adequate upgrade inside.

Dropping back 10 spots could land the Falcons a second round pick in exchange for a seventh, or possibly multiple picks between the fourth and sixth rounds.

Arizona Cardinals (No. 29) or Denver Broncos (No. 31)

If Paxton Lynch drops below the Los Angeles Rams, don’t be surprised if Arizona or Denver has some interest in hopping up. Getting in front of the New York Jets is important, especially if Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t re-signed with the team by draft night.

Without Fitzpatrick, the Jets are left with Geno Smith and Bryce Petty as their options at quarterback, and neither guy is ready to take New York back to the playoffs. The Jets have been looking for their franchise quarterback for a long time now, and they might feel Lynch is the long-term answer should he drop.

The Cardinals could be looking for a Carson Palmer successor, and the Broncos certainly need a quarterback if the Colin Kaepernick trade doesn’t go through.

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Atlanta could sit back, strike a deal with one of these teams and recoup a ton of value. Moving back to the Broncos’ No. 31 spot could demand a second and third rounder in return. There will still be plenty of talent on the board with the first round’s final selection, and the Falcons would be able to stock up on talent with their bonus selections.