So... Atlanta Likes Clowney

So Atlanta has the hard on for Clowney. And is said to be attempting to deal for the top pick to get him.

Good? Bad? They'd have to give up their whole draft wouldn't they? What would it take to move up? I kinda want Houston to take him because of my intense fake hatred for Luck.

 

Good: they'll be throwing away a chance to reinforce a roster that's sprung a lot of leaks lately.

Bad: As we've seen a good DL can be a force multiplier on defense. Byron Bell would give up 4 sacks against lazy mode clowney*

 

This is obviously a rumor leaked by Houston in an attempt to drum up interest in the pick, as Atlanta would have no incentive to leak it themselves. The Falcons would probably be just as happy to take Robinson or Matthews as Clowney. The only real concern for them is if all three are gone. In that scenario I personally would take Lewan, even if it's too high for him. I'm not really getting all the love for Khalil Mack, to be honest.

 

I'm guessing a lot of people wouldn't realize that the jump Atlanta made from 27th to 6th in their Julio Jones deal is actually far less substantial than the jump from 6th to 1st. 27th to 6th is only 920 points, whereas 6th to 1st is 1400 points.

 

I guess we'll see about the ruse factor, lot of it going around. If it's not, it still could accomplish the objective of creating competition got that pick and Houston could get a real haul if a couple of teams are fighting over it.

Atlanta is not shy about making big moves, and has shown real interest in Clowney. Add that they likely won't be able to select him where they sit, I am not ruling out the possibility that they are legitimately attempting to negotiate a trade.

Whether it's good or bad, I think if it were to occur, they may have an underachieving top pick on their hands; they really haven't shown a knack for evaluating defensive linemen in the recent past. If that isn't the case, I think it's very possible they'll have a guy holding out for a new deal in a couple of years.

As far as we go, they won't need him to disrupt us with who we are trotting out there on the OL.

edit:

I didn't realize it was so much cheaper to get Jones, but looked at the points and saw how much they'd have to add to that 6th pick. Whole draft, plus some.

Here's a trade chart that highlights Atlanta's picks this year, easy to read:

http://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Trade-Value-Chart.asp

 

Even though it doesn't add up,if I were STL I'd swap first rounders with ATL for ATL's 2nd and 3rd. In a deep draft like this year STL could add some real talent with 2 first rounders and the 2 high 2nd's and 2 high 3rd's...

 

Except that Clowney won't be there at #2.