NY Jets, Atlanta Falcons have discussed parameters of draft day trade

The NY Jets and the Atlanta Falcons have discussed the parameters of a draft-day trade. Here are all the details and explaining what this could mean.

There is an interesting line of bread crumbs that lead most experts to believe that the Atlanta Falcons will trade up in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

It all started back at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff joined the Stick to Football podcast and stated, “we have the 16th pick, for now, remember that.”

More recently on the Adam Schefter podcast this week, Dimitroff continued his media tour and dropped nuggets that he would be willing to call some of his buddies to move up if the opportunity presented itself.

If he pulled the trigger on another draft-day trade, it wouldn’t be surprising. Since taking over as the general manager back in 2008 Thomas has successfully executed five draft-day deals.

On Wednesday morning Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated that the Falcons “appear poised to make some noise” with a trade up. The genesis of this report is based on Atlanta “evaluating and talking” to multiple prospects who figure to be gone by the time they select 16th overall. Also, other NFL teams project that Atlanta will be on the move, per Rapoport.

So where do the NY Jets come into all of this?

Currently, the team holds eight selections in the upcoming draft, including four in the top-79, but general manager Joe Douglas would ideally like to add even more.

The Falcons have already set up some “loose trade parameters” with a few teams in front of them, per Thomas Dimitroff (via the Adam Schefter podcast). One of those teams is the NY Jets.

NFL Insider Benjamin Allbright revealed Atlanta wants to move up “to 10 or 11” to get their guy.

So who do the Falcons want?

There are three theories out there from a variety of experts in the field:

• Jeff Okduah, cornerback, Ohio State (Trevor Sikkema, The Draft Network).
• CJ Henderson, cornerback, Florida (Dane Brugler, The Athletic).
• Javon Kinlaw, interior defensive lineman, South Carolina (Benjamin Allbright, KOA Colorado).

If the team wants Jeff Okudah, it’s unlikely that the NY Jets could help them considering he’s considered a prospect that’ll be selected in the top-five.

Although the other two defensive prospects project to be available when Gang Green is on the clock with the 11th overall pick.

The #Jets Zone w/ @BoyGreen25 feat former #NFL GM @mlombardiNFL:– Takes us inside an #NFLDraft war room on draft day.– Biggest Q w/ Tua Tagovailoa isn't what you think it is.– Does a virtual draft put more pressure on GMs in the league?#TakeFlighthttps://t.co/YIDsknhRB4

— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) April 15, 2020

So what could a potential trade look like?

Going strictly off the NFL Draft Value Chart, the Jets’ pick is worth 1250 points and the Falcons pick (16th overall) is worth 1000 points. So here’s how we can fill the gap.

Atlanta has six selections in the 2020 NFL Draft (doesn’t have any picks in rounds 5 or 6). 

This projected trade above almost fits like a hand in a glove in terms of value. Atlanta’s first-round pick (1000 points), third-rounder (200 points), and fourth-rounder (56 points) add up to 1256 points and the Jets’ pick is worth 1250.

That’s a pretty tasty haul for only dropping five spots in the first round, but before the Jets’ brass pulls the trigger they have to ask themselves whether the juice is worth the squeeze?

If the team drops down they could miss out on the top four offensive tackles and the top-three wide receivers in the draft. Arguably the NY Jets two biggest needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

It’s something Joe Douglas and the key Jets decision-makers have to think long and hard about before sending this trade in to the commissioner.