Desmond Trufant runs during an NFL football pro day at the University of Washington in Seattle in this March 13, 2013, file photo.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons pulled off another significant deal in the opening round of the NFL draft, moving up to land Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant on Thursday.
The Falcons worked a trade with St. Louis to acquire the 22nd overall pick. Atlanta swapped the 30th selection and gave up its third- and six-round picks while acquiring a future seventh-round pick from the Rams.
“This was our targeted pick,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “This is who we focused on all throughout the offseason.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound Trufant, who was timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash during the combine, fills a major need for the Falcons. The team lost three cornerbacks during the offseason as Dunta Robinson was cut in a cost-cutting move and Brent Grimes and Christopher Owens signed with other teams in free agency.
There were only four cornerbacks on the roster — one of them a practice-squad player — before Atlanta selected Trufant.