NFL Draft Rumors: Eric Berry to the Falcons a possibility?

Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) runs for yardage after recovering a fumble from Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL draft rumors have come aplenty, especially with the league pushing the actual draft back two months. But here’s one that’d get Atlanta Falcons fans a bit riled up: acquiring safety Eric Berry.

"There’s a real possibility that Eric Berry is traded on draft day, with the Falcons being most likely. the price tag is something around a second-round pick.via State of the Draft: What I’ve Heard and Who’s Going Where This Draft Weekend | Optimum Scouting"

Those are the words of writer Eric Galko. It’s unclear how good his sources are, but this rumor isn’t one that’s a reach considering the Falcons have big needs to fill in order to bounce back from the disastrous season that took place last year. And safety is one of those issues, being a weak link in an average defense.

The odds of a deal similar to this, or this exact one, will all hinge on what the team decides to do in the first round. Surely enough, if the Falcons choose to trade up in order to grab a Khalil Mack or Jadeveon Clowney, they’ll likely have to offer their second round pick as compensation in order to coerce a team into making the trade.

Last season the Falcons finished 21st in defending the pass, giving up 3897 total passing yards and 31 touchdowns, the fourth most in the league behind Dallas, Oakland, and Minnesota. The Falcons also lacked in interceptions, only grabbing a total 10, a bottom-five number.

Missing one of 16 games, Berry compiled 66 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 touchdowns returned, and one forced fumble for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. Being traded to Atlanta where he graduated high school could give the fourth year safety a boost. Acquiring a veteran like Berry would mean he’d take the role that Thomas Decoud, now of the Carolina Panthers, played last season, providing an upgrade.

There have been so many rumors flying around that it’s hard to tell which ones hold weight and which teams are blowing smoke. Luckily for the fans, the rumor mill will slow down as the NFL Draft takes place tomorrow.

Home/Atlanta Falcons