2024 NFL Draft: List of potential trade suitors for Atlanta Falcons

We are one sleep away from the NFL Draft, and there is a ton of speculation about what the Falcons are going to do with the 8th overall pick.

Most draft pundits expect Atlanta to take a defender, with Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu being the most popular picks. There has also been some speculation about the Falcons trading back, which Terry Fontenot was asked during Tuesday’s pre-draft press conference.

Atlanta’s GM confirmed that there have been a lot of “exploratory” calls regarding the Falcons’ 8th pick, so let’s look at some of those potential suitors and their roster needs.

New York Jets, 10th pick (OT, WR)

Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are both 33 years old, and there is a crop of tackles that could entice Joe Douglas to trade up. Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, JC Latham, and Taliese Fuaga could all be worth moving up for. New York could also use another wideout, like Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers, who might be available when the Falcons are on the clock.

Minnesota Vikings, 11th pick (QB)

The next three teams are all candidates to trade up for a quarterback. The Vikings have an extra first-round pick this year, so they’ll certainly have the most firepower. Minnesota might be looking to move up even higher with the Cardinals, Chargers, or Giants, but if J.J. McCarthy falls or Michael Penix is the guy, the Falcons’ 8th pick becomes ultra valuable

Denver Broncos, 12th pick (QB)

If the Broncos don’t want to pony up to move all the way up to the Cardinals, Chargers, or Giants’ respective picks, Denver could move up four spots with the Falcons and draft Penix.

Las Vegas Raiders, 13th pick (QB, OT)

Everything that was said for the Broncos goes for the Raiders.

New Orleans Saints, 14th pick (OT, WR)

The Saints are in desperate need of an offensive tackle. Intra-division trades are extremely rare, but the Falcons GM has a connection to New Orleans, so maybe Fontenot can work out a deal with Mickey Loomis for the Saints to grab one of Alt, Fashanu, etc.

Indianapolis Colts, 15th pick (WR)

Chris Ballard is known as a conservative GM, but everyone knows the Colts need a receiver to give Anthony Richardson another weapon. Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers could interest Ballard into moving up to the Falcons pick.

Jacksonville Jaguars, 17th pick (WR)

The Jaguars and Falcons have already built a rapport with one another from the Calvin Ridley trade. Maybe there’s another on the horizon. Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis are good pass catchers, but are closer to WR2s than WR1s. Odunze or Nabers could give Trevor Lawrence a real WR1.

Cincinnati Bengals, 18th pick (WR, OT)

This is getting further and further down the draft board, which means it’s less and less likely for the Falcons, but the Bengals need a tackle to protect Joe Burrow, but they also may need someone to eventually replace Tee Higgins as well as Tyler Boyd.

Pittsburgh Steelers, 20th pick (WR, OT)

The Steelers moved Diontae Johnson this offseason, so they’re a candidate to move up for one of Odunze or Nabers, but Pittsburgh could come up to Atlanta’s 8th pick for one of the top tackles as well.

Dallas Cowboys, 24th pick (OT)

The rest of these candidates all need tackles. The Falcons could tempt the Cowboys into moving up for one of Alt, Fashanu, etc. to replace Tyron Smith, but Tyler Smith does give Dallas some flexibility.

Green Bay Packers, 25th pick (OT)

Much like the Cowboys, the Packers said goodbye to a stalwart left tackle. David Bakhtiari left Green Bay this offseason, and the Falcons may tempt Brian Gutekunst to move up for one of the athletic freaks like Joe Alt to protect Jordan Love.

Buffalo Bills, 28th pick (WR)

After trading Stefon Diggs, could the Bills swing a Julio Jones-type trade with the Falcons for Odunze or Nabers? I think there’s a non-zero chance.

As you can see, the Falcons have no shortage of trade suitors for the 8th pick.