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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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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 28: Team general manager David Caldwell (L) chats with Shahid Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars on the field before their game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 28: Team general manager David Caldwell (L) chats with Shahid Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars on the field before their game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars

Atlanta Falcons: (Receive)

  • 1st Rd, Pick – 29th overall
  • 3rd Rd, Pick – 93rd overall

Jacksonville Jaguars: (Receive)

  • 1st Rd, Pick – 26th overall

Reports have been made that Blake Bortles will remain as the Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback heading into the upcoming season but in all likely that won’t reframe from Jacksonville doing their due diligence on some of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft.

Heisman trophy winner Lamar Jackson is expected to be a mid 1st/early second round draft choice and the Jaguars may want to roll the dice on the Florida-born quarterback with their first round choice.

Jacksonville pulls the trigger on the trade in hopes that New Orleans or Pittsburgh doesn’t tries to take the best available quarterbacks to eventually take over for their aging quarterbacks.

Result Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft:

  • 1st Rd, 29th overall – IOL James Daniels (Iowa)
  • 2nd Rd, 58th overall – DL Tim Settle (Virginia Tech)
  • 3rd Rd, 90th overall – DL Jalyn Holmes (Ohio State)
  • 3rd Rd, 93rd overall – WR Richie James (Middle Tennessee State)
  • 4th Rd, 122nd overall – DB Siran Neal (Jacksonville State)
  • 6th Rd, 186th overall – LB Travin Howard (TCU)
  • 7th Rd, 218th overall – QB Austin Allen (Arkansas)

In this scenario, Thomas Dimitroff and Dan Quinn feel uneasy as of how Andy Levitre will return after triceps injury and his cap salary ($8.375m) isn’t making things better.

Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland both flashed at times during the season but both struggled through periods of times during games. Still the organization has faith that one of the two will develop into quality starters.

So to feel secure about Matt Ryan’s safety for the upcoming season, the Falcons draft Iowa center James Daniels in hope of converting him as a swing guard who’ll eventually take over for Levitre in 2019.

Tim Settle is the youngest interior defensive lineman in this year’s draft but he is just as much of a grown man as any of the top defenders in the draft. Settle is another well-coached, technique sound defender that should an early impact in Atlanta.

Jalyn Holmes can be similar to what was asked of Adrian Clayborn as a versatile defender who is capable of playing out as an edge or bounce inside as a two-gap defender.

Richie James and Siran Neal both are picks at positions where they aren’t expected to emerge or needed to be immediate starters but valuable role players who’ll find their way onto the field through special teams and different sets.

The Falcons dip into the BIG12 once again to grab another speed-demon at linebacker in Travin Howard who gives more depth at the WILL-backer position and help special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong regain respect as one of the best in the NFL.

Finally the decision to take quarterback in the 7th would be the same as it was when the team drafted Sean Renfree in 2013, add development talent that could into a hopefully a quality backup or trade bait.