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NFL Draft: Three Possible Trade-Downs for Atlanta

By Raekwon Gilbert

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Atlanta Falcons general manager, Thomas Dimitroff looks on during a press conference for new head coach Dan Quinn at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility on February 3, 2015 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Atlanta Falcons general manager, Thomas Dimitroff looks on during a press conference for new head coach Dan Quinn at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility on February 3, 2015 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings

Atlanta Falcons: (Receive)

  • 1st Rd, Pick – 30th overall
  • 3rd Rd, Pick – 94th overall
  • 6th Rd, Pick – 190th overall

Minnesota Vikings: (Receive)

  • 1st Rd, Pick – 26th overall

The Minnesota Vikings have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL but with 35-year-old guard Joe Bergers becoming a free agent and running back Dalvin Cook returning next season from an ACL injury, there may be a push in Minnesota to grab a quality guard early into the draft.

Though Atlanta are in somewhat the same predicament with questions surrounding their interior offensive line, it isn’t as pressing as other needs or positional fits.

In this scenario, both Quinn and Dimitroff think that rolling the dice on waiting to take chance on players who are overlooked in a crowded position groups (OL, IDL, and WR).

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Result Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft: 

  • 1st Rd, 30th overall – EDGE Hercules Mata’afa (Washington State)
  • 2nd Rd, 58th overall – G Braden Smith (Auburn)
  • 3rd Rd, 90th overall – NT Derrick Nnadi (Florida State)
  • 3rd Rd, 94th overall – CB Anthony Averett (Alabama)
  • 4th Rd, 122nd overall – DL Kentavius Street (North Carolina State)
  • 6th Rd, 186th overall – WR Keke Coutee (Texas Tech)
  • 6th Rd, 190th overall – LB Keishawn Bierria (Washington)
  • 7th Rd, 218th overall – EDGE Antonio Simmons (Georgia Tech)

Grabbing another elite pass-rusher like Mata’afa could throw fans for a loop especially with the need for an interior defensive lineman but this will be a typical BPA (Best Player Available) decision that over towers the value of any defensive tackle that still available.

Adding Braden Smith and Derrick Nandi on day two of the draft addresses the need to have a secure plan if the team decides to release guard Andy Levitre (or doesn’t trust the progression of Ben Garland/Wes Schweitzer) and find a plug-in starter at the nose tackle position.

Anthony Averett instantly gives the Falcons more flexibility with their depth at corner and maybe even a starter capable of competing for reps at either nickel or boundary corner.

Dan Quinn loves being able to model and help develop athletic defensive linemen and Street could give Atlanta another option to rotate with Grady Jarrett at the 3-tech on passing downs or as 5-tech on run downs.

Eventually the Falcons are going to have to bring in more explosive athletes at the wide out position and KeKe Coutee gives Matt Ryan a replacement for Taylor Gabriel in the slot and a shot at being the team’s primary return man.

Bierria and Simmons both come in with great value on day three with potential to develop into role players on certain downs but will have to compete for spots on special teams.