ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons’ new leadership team of president of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski could enter the NFL draft Thursday night in Pittsburgh in a mood to trade.
The Falcons have only five total picks in the three-day draft, with none of those in the first round. Cunningham doesn’t like having so few picks and has vowed this will be the last draft the Falcons are in this position, so he likely will be open to offers to trade down for additional picks.
The Falcons’ first pick is No. 48 overall, and Cunningham said he’s a firm believer in taking the best player available. With wide receiver perceived as a deep position in this year’s pool of prospects, the Falcons could add another option for their tandem of left-handed quarterbacks, Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa.
“You can look at it as a challenge, I guess, but we look at it as an opportunity to add five really good players to this football team, if that’s what it ends up being,” Stefanski said at the start of offseason workouts this month. “I think Ian and his staff have done an outstanding job to date. … Five picks to me sounds like five good players to add to the roster.”
The Falcons traded this year’s first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in last year’s draft to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. of Tennessee with the No. 26 selection. Pearce’s status with the Falcons is in doubt as he faces three felony charges after he was arrested near Miami on Feb. 7 after an incident involving his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Even though the Falcons doubled down by selecting two edge rushers in the first round last year, also taking Georgia’s Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall, Pearce’s legal woes again make this a position of possible need. Edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency this year.
The interior defensive line could use help after David Onyemata signed with the New York Jets and Kentavius Street with the Chicago Bears, respectively. And while former first-round pick Penix is just in the third year of his rookie deal, Tagovailoa signed only a one-year deal in free agency, so the Falcons may look to add long-term depth at quarterback.
Another potential position of need is offensive tackle after right tackle Kaleb McGary’s recent retirement.
The Falcons reacted quickly by signing former Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor, but it’s only a one-year deal. Left tackle Jake Matthews is 34.
Atlanta already bolstered its running backs by signing Tyler Goodson and Brian Robinson after Tyler Allgeier signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and All-Pro selection Bijan Robinson returns as the starter and the team’s biggest star. Tight end is also secure after the team placed a franchise tag on Kyle Pitts and added Austin Hooper.
Other key additions during a busy free agency period for the Falcons were wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus, linebackers Christian Harris, Azeez Ojulari and Channing Tindall, kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey.
Said Cunningham: “We really went into this free agency looking to elevate our floor, adding depth pieces, but also players … that have shown that they’re able to start in this league.”