The Atlanta Falcons made the most shocking decision in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall despite guaranteeing $100 million to Kirk Cousins less than two months ago. While Penix drafting Penix was clearly about planning for the future, the Falcons nearly made another shocking decision, but this one would have delivered more immediate results.
A recent video offered more insight into the Falcons’ draft plans, thanks to New York Jets GM Joe Douglas. The Jets, who held the 10th pick, knew the Falcons were standing pat at eight and making a pick, but according to Douglas, Atlanta was also trying to trade for the 10th pick too.
“They are definitely picking. And they want to come back up. So they want 8 and 10.”
New York Jets GM Joe Douglas on Atlanta Falcons’ draft plans to trade up
Of course, the Falcons weren’t able to execute a trade back up to the tenth pick after selecting Penix eighth. While the Jets did eventually trade the pick, they didn’t go down the board far, swapping the 10th pick for the Vikings’ 11th pick while adding more late-round selections in the process. Coach Robert Saleh called it “Free money.”
Yet, this video indicates that the Falcons were quite interested in adding another top prospect to their 2024 draft haul, and being that Penix was their first pick, it’s possible they had their eyes on selecting Dallas Turner, who many expected Atlanta to take eighth overall. Turner ended up landing with the Vikings after Minnesota moved up to 16 after a trade with Jacksonville, and the rest is history.
Atlanta’s next pick didn’t come until No. 35 when the Falcons selected defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro. Another prospect the Falcons may have been eyeing was Texas’ Byron Murphy II, who ended up being the 15th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Steve Wyche indicated the Falcons actually had their eye on selecting Laiatu Latu, who went off the board with the 15th pick by the Indianapolis Colts.
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2024: Where does Kirk Cousins rank?