There are but a couple of hours left until the first pick of the NFL Draft is announced and it continues to look like the team that earned it with their play on the field will be the team that exercises it on Thursday night.
Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff told the NFL Network that a trade up to the first overall pick is “highly unlikely.” The Falcons were seen as one of the teams with interest in making a trade with the Texans for a chance to select any player of their choosing, but the price to make that move may have been higher than they were willing to pay.
Prices, hearts and minds can change so there’s no use ruling anything out until the selection is actually made, but Dimitroff’s words follow earlier reports that the Texans had turned their attention away from a trade. Mike Florio of PFT has heard that South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be that choice, but, again, there’s still time for things to go a different way.
If the Falcons hold onto their sixth pick, they’re expected to take an offensive tackle or, if he’s still available, Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack.