The Falcons offered essentially the most gorgeous decide of the 2024 NFL Draft however their night time might have been much more surprising.
Atlanta known as the Jets to see if Gang Inexperienced would commerce it the No. 10 decide within the draft, as proven within the Jets’ behind-the-scenes video from the draft.
The Falcons needed to seize a second top-10 choice to pair with its No. 8 decide, which it used to take advantage of controversial decide of the draft by nabbing Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
“We had guys that we clearly had been attempting to get again into the primary for,” mentioned Falcons common supervisor Terry Fontenot, in line with the crew web site.
One of many largest criticisms of Atlanta grabbing Penix was it did nothing to assist bolster a roster that seemingly desires to win this yr after including quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Jets’ video, although, reveals that Atlanta seemingly tried to take action.
The Atlanta-centric half begins after Jets common supervisor Joe Douglas tells his employees that Tennessee, at No. 7, could be deciding on offensive deal with JT Latham.
The video is timestamped 8:50 p.m. ET.
Two minutes later, Douglas discusses his eventual commerce with the Vikings earlier than Atlanta is talked about for the primary time at 8:55 p.m. Tennessee was nonetheless on the clock presently.
“They’re positively selecting, they mentioned,” Douglas mentioned whereas his cellphone.
“That was Atlanta?” an unidentified particular person requested.
“Yeah, Atlanta,” Douglas replied.
The particular person then mentioned, “They’re going to…” and the audio appears to chop out, however the Jets’ captioning mentioned the particular person requested if Atlanta was taking a defender.
“They wish to come again as much as 10, so they need eight and 10,” Douglas mentioned.
The video then reveals the room being knowledgeable that Tennessee certainly took an offensive lineman and the Falcons had been on the clock.
Atlanta chosen Penix with that decide, the Bears drafted receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth decide and the Vikings took quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the tenth decide that they acquired from the Jets.
The Jets, now sitting at No. 11, grabbed Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu.
Atlanta didn’t discover its approach again into the primary spherical however moved up within the second spherical through a commerce with the Cardinals to draft Clemson defensive deal with Ruke Orhorhoro.
The Falcons’ article that includes Fontenot’s quote talked about the potential for a cornerback, though the primary defensive again lasted till the twenty second decide (Quinyon Mitchell to the Eagles).
The primary defensive participant got here off the board at No. 15 when the Colts chosen move rusher Laiatu Latu.
