What would it take for the Falcons to move up to the #1 pick?

With the way the draft order ended up shaking out, it’s very possible that the top three quarterbacks are taken one, two, three by Bears, Commanders, and Patriots, forcing the Falcons to pivot elsewhere. However, Peter King recently said that he believes the Bears will hold onto Justin Fields and auction off the #1 overall pick for the second consecutive season. If that’s the case, a Falcons team desperate for a quarterback may not have a choice but to jump at the opportunity.

So, what might it take for the Falcons to move up seven spots in the draft?

A good starting point would be last year’s pre-draft trade, when the Panthers moved up to first overall from ninth. Their package included two firsts, two seconds, and DJ Moore. The Falcons are in a similar position drafting eighth overall this year; however, I can say pretty confidently the Bears are probably going to be expecting a little more than last year because of the strong quarterback class, led by Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, who are two blue chip prospects that many in the industry view as can’t miss potential stars.

At a minimum, it’s going to take two first round picks, two second round picks, and a player like A.J. Terrell if the Falcons want to pry the #1 pick away from the Bears. However, I think it will take more than that. The Falcons will likely have to either include another young talented player, like Kyle Pitts, or a first or second-round draft pick to sweeten the pot. If they’re willing to do that, they might be able to convince the Bears to build around Justin Fields.

Hypothetical Falcons trade with Bears for #1 overall pick

 

Falcons Receive: #1 overall pick

Bears Receive: 2024 first-round pick (8th overall), 2024 second-round pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, A.J. Terrell, and Kyle Pitts

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That’s an absolutely massive haul for the Bears, but it’s going to take something like that to convince them to keep Fields and build around him instead of taking a quarterback first overall.

A.J. Terrell would instantly give Chicago an incredible secondary, possibly pairing him with Jaylon Johnson, as their defense continues to take strides forward, and Kyle Pitts would become another talented weapon for Fields alongside D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet. The Bears would also have four more premium picks to play with over the next two drafts.

The Falcons would have a couple of more holes to fill at cornerback and tight end, and they’d have fewer draft picks to fill them with. With that being said, the #1 overall pick gives them an ideal opportunity to fix the most glaring issue hanging over this franchise for the last several seasons at quarterback. Until the Falcons do that, it doesn’t matter who is on the roster or how many draft picks they horde, they will not be serious contenders.

 

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