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

With these final two trade-up candidates for the Falcons, these are the two likeliest for several reasons. Atlanta would not have to trade up significantly from No. 16 to get either player and Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has ties to either the coaching staffs in place or the university itself to go up and get the guy. The first player we’ll touch on here is Javon Kinlaw out of South Carolina.

Kinlaw has overcome so much in his life. He grew up essentially homeless before having to go the junior college route. He ended up playing his college ball for the South Carolina Gamecocks under Will Muschamp. When Quinn was at Florida, Muschamp was the Gators’ head coach. Kinlaw’s upside and leadership traits are reasons Atlanta would possibly move up to select him.

Kinlaw has climbed up draft boards in recent months. While he was initially a guy projected to go in the Falcons’ wheelhouse in the late teens to early 20s, he might now be off the board as his as the late top-10. If Kinlaw falls to the Falcons at No. 16, that would be fantastic, but they’ll likely need to move up at least a few spots to ensure that he’ll end up a Dirty Bird.

We’ve mentioned the Jacksonville Jaguars as a potential trade partner a bunch here, but trading with them to go up and get Kinlaw feels like a reach. Another potential trade partner would be the San Francisco 49ers at No. 13. Quinn’s former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is the 49ers head coach. Pick No. 13 feels like a decent landing spot for Kinlaw as is. That could be the deal.