CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso has just unveiled his latest mock draft, where he anticipates the chaos that will ensue in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. For the Atlanta Falcons, Trapasso had General Manager Terry Fontenot heavily involved in the first half of the draft.
In this mock draft, four quarterbacks were selected in the top five, with Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy going to New England. The following picks saw only two receivers taken, with Washington’s Rome Odunze heading to the New York Giants, leaving LSU’s Malik Nabers available at number eight.
The potential that Nabers brings to all aspects of the passing game would be attractive to most teams. Recognizing this, Atlanta found an unexpected trade partner in the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills, with ten total picks in this draft, saw an opportunity to address their need at receiver after losing Stefon Diggs. In Trapasso’s draft scenario, Buffalo trades picks 28 & 60 in this year’s draft and a first-round pick in 2025 to Atlanta in exchange for picks 8 & 109 to secure Nabers.
How about someone other than one of the top edge rushers for the Falcons? As for the Bills, they are too tempted by Nabers’ fall and send No. 28, No. 60, and a 2025 first-round pick to Atlanta. Atlanta’s GM Terry Fontenot has ties to Buffalo’s offensive coordinator Joe Brady and new quarterback coach Ronald Curry, making this trade all the more appealing. In return, the Bills receive pick No. 109 from the Falcons. This trade leaves Atlanta with plenty of early draft capital.
Despite acquiring Nabers, the Falcons still face a pass-rush dilemma as top-tier edge rushers are scarce at pick 28. Fontenot understands the importance of addressing this need and decides to make a bold move. Seattle is in need of an interior offensive lineman, and the Falcons strike a deal to move up and select UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, the most technically sound pass rusher in the draft.
The Falcons trade picks 28 & 60, acquired from the Bills, to move up and select Latu. Seattle, known for moving back in the draft, agrees to the trade, allowing Atlanta to secure a premier edge-rusher and acquire a 2025 first-round pick in the process.
Landing Latu and securing an additional first-round pick for the following year presents a perfect trade-down scenario for the Falcons, providing flexibility to address future needs or add more talent to the roster.