Getty Dallas Cowboys competing against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons hold the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, giving them an opportunity to draft a potential impact player. With the Falcons having a lack of cap space after signing Kirk Cousins in March, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report suggested a trade that would send the Dallas Cowboys the No. 8 pick for the No. 24 pick, No. 56 pick and a 2025 first-round pick.
Moving the No. 8 pick in this proposed deal would allow the Falcons to land more talent to pair with Cousins and the rest of the roster.
“The Atlanta Falcons addressed their biggest concern by signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins at the onset of free agency,” Kay wrote in an April 15 column in which he proposed one trade for each team picking in the top 10. “They can now focus on fine-tuning the remainder of the roster.
“Unfortunately, Atlanta doesn’t have much in the way of cap space to work with following the blockbuster Cousins signing. It needs to have a strong draft to field a complete lineup that’s capable of making a Super Bowl run. Trading down from No. 8 overall would give the Falcons more chances at unearthing contributors not only this year, but also in future seasons.”
No. 8 a ‘Valuable’ Draft Spot
The expectation is for Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Drake Maye to be selected with the first three picks in the draft.
But in such a scenario, teams will still have a chance to draft wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze, offensive tackle Joe Alt, linebacker Dallas Turner, tight end Brock Bowers, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and many other high-level prospects.
“Atlanta’s pick shouldn’t be too pricy since the top quarterbacks should be long gone, but No. 8 is still a valuable spot for teams in need of offensive tackle help that want to jump ahead of the Chicago Bears and New York Jets,” Kay wrote. “That alone could be worth an additional first-rounder in 2025, plus a first-round pick swap this year.”
Falcons’ Key Draft Needs
As the Falcons approach the draft, they have three needs, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
In his April 19 column exploring the key needs in the draft, Kendall views an edge rusher, cornerback and wide receiver as priorities.
“The Falcons are moving to a 3-4 base, meaning they may not be interested in bringing back last year’s starters, Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell, both of whom remain free agents. Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, Zach Harrison and DeAngelo Malone are the current candidates on the roster, but a starting-caliber player in the draft would help.”
He wrote that despite adding three wide receivers — Darnell Mooney, KhaDeral Hodge and Ray-Ray McCloud — there’s need for more. If Harrison, Nabers or Odunze is available at No. 8, it’ll be “interesting” to see what the Falcons do, he wrote.
“Yes, the Falcons added three wide receivers during March to team up with Drake London, but there’s room for more, and it will be especially interesting if one of this year’s three top prospects — Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze — is available at No. 8.”