Recent rumors suggest the Atlanta Falcons could pursue the first-overall pick
During the NFL Combine, Ian Rapoport (a couple times) stated that the Atlanta Falcons could be one of the many teams that will attempt to trade with the Chicago Bears to land the first-overall pick.
It would certainly be a big move by the Dirty Birds that would likely be in an effort to select one of the top quarterbacks. Whether that is Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, or whoever, we would have to wait and see.
The top selection in the draft holds immense value. The Falcons would have to give up significant assets to land the pick. Would the trade involve players or just draft picks? Again, only time will tell, but here we will cover both scenarios.
The Falcons’ biggest threat is the teams ahead of them. The Bears will want to still land one of the top players in the draft and they could elect to just trade down a couple spots. Every team ahead of the Falcons, minus the Cardinals, are a threat to challenge Atlanta in a bidding war.
Without further ado, here are three trade packages we could see if the Falcons trade for the first-overall pick.
1. Falcons trade four picks for the first-overall pick
Falcons receive: Pick 1
Bears receive: Pick 8, Pick 44 (rd. 2), 1st rounder (2024), 2nd rounder (2024)
Here the Atlanta Falcons elect to trade away their first couple of picks in this draft and next year’s draft in exchange for the ability to select any eligible player they want in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Bears are also able to trade down just seven spots while picking up three extra picks. It would be interesting to know if this would get a deal done considering how many teams could be on the phone with Bears’ GM Ryan Poles. The Falcons might have to throw in another pick for insurance.
However, PFF’s mock draft simulator claims that this trade would have a 77% chance to be accepted.
Having to just give up three extra picks for a franchise quarterback that will be on a rookie deal could prove to be a steal.
2. Falcons trade young safety & picks for the first-overall pick & extra pick
Falcons receive: Pick 1, 5th round (2024)
Bears receive: Pick 8, Pick 113 (rd. 4),1st round (2024), 2nd rounder (2024), Richie Grant (FS)
If the Atlanta Falcons want to hold on to their second-round pick this season, then they could package a player like safety Richie Grant. It would give the Bears some semi-proven talent on the backend of their defense which could be more valuable to them than a draft pick.
This trade, however, would only be an option if the Falcons sign Jessie Bates or another top safety in free agency. They couldn’t sustain just having Jaylinn Hawkins back there with a backup-caliber player next to him. It does seem inevitable that Bates will join the Falcons’ defense in just over a week.
It would be sad to see a young and talented player go but we all know that a franchise quarterback is much more valuable than a young safety.
3. Falcons trade players & picks for the first-overall pick
Falcons receive: Pick 1
Bears receive: Pick 8, Pick 44 (rd. 2), Pick 113 (rd. 4), 2nd rounder (2024), 3rd rounder (2024), Casey Hayward (CB), Desmond Ridder (QB)
This seems like a lot to give up if you are the Atlanta Falcons but the key here is that they avoid sending next year’s first-round pick.
They would be giving up a cornerback who has one year left on his deal and their promising quarterback Desmond Ridder. These might not seem like two players that the Bears would want but it gives them a leader in their secondary and another option at quarterback if they lose confidence in Justin Fields. After all, there have been rumors that they are willing to trade Fields away.
Obviously, the Falcons’ return on this trade would likely be Bryce Young. Trading for the first-overall pick and avoiding giving up a first-round pick in next year’s draft would be enticing. They lose four other picks but if they feel like they can address most of their needs in free agency, then this trade is plausible.