A published report pegs the Falcons as a club that could have designs on moving up in the first round.
According to Albert Breer of NFL Media, Atlanta has explored trading up from the No. 8 overall pick, with other clubs suspecting the Falcons are looking for defensive help.
Earlier Monday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggested the Falcons could be interested in Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., with a trade-up possible. According to the Journal-Constitution, Falcons G.M. Thomas Dimitroff indicated Atlanta has had “a lot of discussions already about moving both ways” in the draft.
The Falcons have eight draft picks, one each in rounds one through six and two in round seven. All eight picks can be traded. And to move up from No. 8, the club might have to contemplate surrendering a second- or third-round selection, depending how far it wanted to leap.