The three best draft day trades in Atlanta Falcons history
By Joe Beasley
The Falcons were fresh off one of the most humiliating losses in franchise history when they lost 24-2 to the New York Giants. Matt Ryan was coming off his best season to date and both Roddy White and Tony Gonzales both made the Pro Bowl.
In the 2011 NFL draft, the offense for the Atlanta Falcons would become even more dangerous.
In a draft-day trade with the Cleveland Browns, the Falcons traded the 27th,59th, and 124th pick from the 2011 draft and their first and fourth picks from 2012 to move up to the number five spot to draft Alabama stud wide receiver, Julio Jones.
When you throw the kitchen sink to move up and draft a player, he must become one of the greats, and Julio is well on his way to doing so.
Just check the Atlanta Falcons record books and you will see Jones everywhere. Drafting Jones gave Ryan some of the best weapons in football.
Not many teams had the luxury of having two unselfish number one receivers on the same team with a great young quarterback who was on his way to entering his prime.
Next. Falcons draft night should bring a major trade for Jamal Adams. dark
The Cleveland Browns lost this trade in so many ways and the Falcons ended up with one of the most talented receivers of all time that help take an already good offense to a new level. Without Julio, there might not be an “MVP” Matt Ryan and there wouldn’t be an heir apparent to Roddy White once he retired.