Draft Buzz: Falcons Looking To Trade Up
Last week, we looked at five teams that could be interested in trading up in the first round of next week’s draft.
But it looks like we should add one more to the mix: the Atlanta Falcons.
According to SI.com’s Peter King, the Falcons are trying to trade up from the No. 30 spot. The obvious question is: Who are they targeting?
Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com has identified two names: Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan and Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner.
So how does this affect the Eagles? I’d be surprised if they were willing to drop all the way down to 30, but everything obviously depends on compensation. The Falcons have 11 picks overall, but four are in the seventh round. If you look at the old draft value chart, even if Atlanta offered all its selections to the Eagles, it still wouldn’t add up to the value of the No. 4 pick.
In the first three rounds, the Falcons have picks 30, 60 and 92.
But just because the Eagles might be unlikely to make a deal with the Falcons doesn’t mean they won’t be affected. A team like the Raiders (No. 3) could make a deal, potentially changing which prospects are off the board when the Birds are up.
Also, teams looking to move into the top five appear to have plenty of options. That will impact asking price.
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The Eagles held a private workout with Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown, according to The Wichita Eagle. Brown (6-0, 241) is the brother of Eagles running back Bryce Brown. As Tommy Lawlor points out, he also played against Chip Kelly in the Fiesta Bowl last year.
Brown is projected to be a second-round pick and could even sneak into the first. The Eagles currently have inside linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks. They need to add depth, but it’s probably unlikely that they’d do so early in the draft.
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The Eagles are also showing interest in Florida defensive end Earl Okine, according to Aaron Wilson. Okine (6-6, 284) projects as a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4. He could be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
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