Atlanta Falcons: 5 players worth trading up for in 2020 NFL Draft

Atlanta has a need for an immediate impact cornerback. The Falcons released former first-round pick Desmond Trufant after seven seasons in Atlanta. While Trufant was an excellent player during his time in Atlanta, he became an often injured one in the second half of his stint in Atlanta. Though he made a Pro Bowl in his initial run in Atlanta, things seemed to have run their course.

If Atlanta wants to swing for the fences and trade up into the top five, then maybe the Falcons can end up with the best defensive back in the draft in Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. After his college teammate in defensive end Chase Young, Okudah is the second-best defensive prospect in the entire draft. It’s hard to see him fall past the Detroit Lions at No. 3.

However, Atlanta could put together a competitive trade package to the Lions. Dimitroff and Lions general manager Bob Quinn stem from the New England Patriots organization. Bill Belichick front office disciples aren’t afraid to put together deals with one another to help each team get better. Detroit needs to win now to save Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia’s jobs beyond 2020.

And Atlanta needs a sure-fire No. 1 cornerback. The Falcons might like what they have in young players like Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Oliver and Damontae Kazee, but none of them have the upward ceiling of Okudah coming out of Ohio State. Surely, it would be a massive offer for the Falcons to move up from No. 16 to No. 3, but we’ve seen Dimitroff wheel and deal before.