Multiple NFL draft analysts believe the Falcons could and want to trade their number eight overall pick and move back in Thursday night’s draft.
In Todd McShay’s latest piece on ESPN he believes if Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon aren’t there “the Falcons could explore a trade back” McShay said. NFL draft analyst for NBC Sports, Peter King, told The Morning Shift earlier today that he thinks the Falcons “definitively want to trade down”.
"Of all the teams in the top 10, I think there are two that definitively want to trade down. One is Arizona at No. 3, the other is Atlanta at No. 8. I think that Atlanta's view is pretty simple. They think they would like to get value in this draft, and value for them would be extra picks.” King said.
Peter continues by saying “It seems logical to me, if they were to trade down to 11 or 12 with Tennessee or Houston, each of those teams, presumably, moving up to get a quarterback. If they can do that it's much smarter to take Bijan Robinson at 11 or 12 then it is to take him at 8. I would much rather take Bijan Robinson a little bit later.”
Now, Peter does mention the Philadelphia Eagles being a potential problem in this scenario. “The one slight threat if they are really madly in love with Bijan Robinson, the one slight threat is Philadelphia at 10. Because the Eagles love Bijan. And although I don't think they would take Bijan Robinson at 10, I do think Howie Roseman is an unpredictable guy on draft night. I wish, for their sake, they could trade down a few spots and get Bijan. I know they like him and that's why I gave him to them." King said.
It sounds like the Falcons interest in Robinson is real, and that’s not surprising. If the Texas running back is Atlanta’s target, the question is can the Falcons trade back, still get their guy, and rack up more picks all at the same time, or will they have to spend the eighth overall pick to get their guy.
