Grading four potential draft day Atlanta Falcons trades

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Mar 1, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

With the NFL draft just under a week away, mock drafts are being finalized by experts, fans are clamoring for clarity, and teams like the Atlanta Falcons are solidifying their draft boards prior to entering their “war rooms” from April 28-30.

As is the case with this team, it’s undeniable: they need help everywhere. It doesn’t matter what position; they’re in desperate need to even remotely win games. Right now, that black cat Stephen A. Smith says is in the Cowboys might have a twin in Atlanta.

Of course, with the NFL Draft, as is the case with even players, they’re all possibly subject to being traded by their respective organization, thus bringing them from one scenery to another.

In some cases, the change of scenery could pay dividends for a player’s long-term NFL career (which is averaged at three years). In others, it could eventually be the final curtain call or a rotational position for the rest of their career, even if they possibly are on a championship team.

Recently, a greatly articulated piece on the official team website by Falcons team reporter Kris Rhim detailed four potential draft-day trades that could be considered by the front office as the event approaches.

That said, of the four trades, it’s important to note the overall value of the trade-in general and how smart it would be for Terry Fontenot, Arthur Smith, and the rest of the front office to consider the trades.

So let’s take a look at Mr. Rhim’s scenarios, review them, and grade them in terms of success for the Falcons.

Keep in mind, that the verdicts shown are NOT an indication as to whether or not they’re smart for the Falcons front office to consider. Rather, these verdicts are strictly based on whether or not the team would succeed in the long-term view of the NFL if they choose to accept any of these suggestions.

At the end of the day, they have to succeed as a business, and these are just a few “strategic business investments” they could consider.

With that in mind, let’s look at the first scenario.