Birds could go up to get Julio Jones, Green costs too much
Alabama's Julio Jones (8) makes a catch for a touchdown as Georgia's Bryan Evans defends during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Athens, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
BIRDLAND – The bat phone has been shake, rattling and rolling all day on vibrate.
No, the Falcons are not getting ready to mortgage the future to get Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green. The cost to get up into the top five is prohibitive.
It would cost the Falcons’ their first round pick this year, their first, second and third next year.
However, Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones could be in play.
Here’s how that can happen.
Jones has to slip outside of the top 10. Most have him going to Cleveland at No. 6, but the Browns may go defense and take LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.
If Houston, which needs secondary help, takes Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara with the 11the pick. The Detroit Lions, who pick 13th, could be looking to trade out of their spot.
The Falcons could send their first, second and fourth round picks this year along with next year’s second to the Lions. The key would be to get in front of St. Louis to take Jones.
If Jones doesn’t slip, look for the Falcons to hold onto the 27th pick.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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144 comments Add your comment
Falconschick
April 28th, 2011
7:49 am
Julio is going to make A J look like a peewee player once they get to the NFL. Julio may get hurt working out, but he plays right through it. He loves the game and will be a game changer for years to come. If we want a Super Bowl, we give Matty Ice a target. Julio is the target we need!!
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
8:16 am
An unproven college player isn’t worth that many picks….DL you know that deal will not happen in this lifetime
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
8:31 am
It seems we have all forgotten WR Kerry Meier plus WR Douglas and DT Jerry will be improved with a year of knee surgery recovery under their belts..you see everyone not like New England’s Wes Welker……
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 28th, 2011
8:39 am
MonkDaddy — The Falcons linebackers are smallish and fast. Not in the 265 range.
IceFan – I haven’t heard much on Randall Cobb. He was a beast at UK. I will call his agent and try to get you an update. I know that like Troy’s Jerrel Jernigan.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 28th, 2011
8:42 am
JONESBORO SLIM – It could go down. Detroit may want to fall back if the right guy isn’t there.
Nik
April 28th, 2011
9:28 am
Unless we find a pass rusher, we’re going to see more games like that Green Bay playoff in which the other QB picks us apart because he has ALL DAY to throw…A big name WR would be nice and exciting, but no reason to reach and lose a bunch of picks…And still not have a pass rush.
Nik
April 28th, 2011
9:29 am
PS thanks for the inside information D.Led, I’m glad there’s on beat writer that actually puts something worth reading on the sports blogs instead of filling them with music lyrics and telling us things we already know…
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
9:52 am
DOL
I’ve been saying all week lets get DeMarco Murray a RB/ slot reciever with great speed..move him to WR…what do you think?
cwltank
April 28th, 2011
10:23 am
I will recommend the Falcons select Jones or another big speedy reciever. Jenkins is ok but he doesnt really stand out in games. He has not had a 1000 yard recieving year & I think this is his 7th year.
PMC
April 28th, 2011
10:35 am
Julio is probably one of the only guys in the draft the Falcons could get that has the explosiveness that they covet.
I love that he works his behind off and will block like a beast.
I don’t love that he has iffy hands, but maybe Roddy can work with him on that.
PMC
April 28th, 2011
10:36 am
Jonesboro, I love your thinking with Murray too. I think he caught 71 passes last year. That’s the kind of back we need to compliment the guys that we have.
Blackoutanyone?
April 28th, 2011
10:36 am
Julio is the piece this team is missing. I don’t understand the people who say the Falcons have needs everywhere. Sure every team has needs but the Falcons have fewer holes than most teams. Julio would add another weapon in the passing game but his down field blocking and physical presence in the running game is something to consider. I really hope TD makes this move.
PMC
April 28th, 2011
10:38 am
It wouldn’t be mortgaging the future at this point. It’s getting the guy you need that’s available.
They need playmakers. Jones is a playmaker.
Birdman
April 28th, 2011
10:49 am
I dont think this is in DTroff’s DNA to buy high. And trading that number of high picks is buying way too high. Explosive players can be found outside the top 20. The more time goes by the more I think maybe this Kyle Rudolph will be a Falcon. We will trade down with Cincinatti and select him in the early 2nd though. Think about Mularkeys offense, not a lot of downfield throws, so put another body inside the 10 yard box with Gonzalez that will be a challenge for any linebacker to cover, meaning they have to help by keeping the safety closer, and let Jenkins and Roddy run fly patterns all day. That will open up the deep game by making teams commit db’s to help cover 2 stud TE packages.
falconsfan87
April 28th, 2011
10:52 am
I like what Mel Kiper Jr. projects. Keep the 27th pick and go defense. He has Daquan Bowers going to the Falcons. If he is on the board take him. I don’t take much stock in what Daquan says about his knee but ive heard he’s 100% by a lot of people. Lets not forget he was once the TOP prospect on the board. Besides in my opinion, a talented pass rusher is our greatest need. Abraham is getting old and Green Bay told us what we need to do to compete with the top teams in the NFC. Furthermore there are a lot of talented receivers that we could take later in the draft. Randal Cobb, Hankerson, Titus Young…etc
PapaDawg
April 28th, 2011
10:53 am
Cmon leave it along, keep the 27 pick and get us some defense
Barry
April 28th, 2011
10:54 am
Hey Y’all:
WHAT ABOUT PLAXICO BURRESS???!!!! THE MAN IS THE BEST WIDE RECEIVER IN FOOTBALL. WE NEED TO PUT HIM IN THE MIX WITH OUR RECEIVING CORPS.
LETS GO FALCONS!!!!! DRAFT IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” . THE PROCESS CONTINUES!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thisis a SECRET from a FALCON FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!
………………….”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!!!………………
Myrak43
April 28th, 2011
10:54 am
I think that WR from Maryland would be a nice pick up. Torrey Smith.
Naah!
April 28th, 2011
10:55 am
Only way I would give up multiple picks is if we had a chance at Aaron Rogers. Giving away the farm seldom works. In fact, it usually works the other way. Look at at the Dallas – Minn trade involving Herschel. Look at the Saints trading all their picks for Ricky Williams. Look at the Braves – Rangers trade. Unless you are going for a franchise quarterback, or it’s more of a lateral trade where you give up a later round pick to move up to get a special player, it seldoms works. I think T.D. and Smitty know whats going on though. I
Falcons Fan
April 28th, 2011
11:01 am
That’s too much to give up to get Julio. The top priority has to be a pass rusher. There are plenty of good/fast receivers available in the draft that will be available in the second round. There are also receivers that will be availble after a new CBA is done. (Steve Smith wants out of Carolina)
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
11:11 am
Here is the focus… we have to get LOTS of pressure from our def. line and if it’s Daquan Bowers then lets reel him in…. afterall teams will say anything to throw other teams off the guy they really want…the players that have been said to be “BAD BOYS” bring them in… and then after practice everyday WHIP his a$$ until he straightens up let him know this is the NFL not some punk baby college team…”see you on the hill”
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
11:14 am
@BARRY
Good move.. yea Plaxico will have something to prove
Edward
April 28th, 2011
11:16 am
I hope Julio Jones is gone before the13th pick that’s to much to give up for him.
TAMPAFALCON
April 28th, 2011
11:27 am
I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the Falcons go after and sign Sidney Rice once Free Agents can sign with another team. TD and Smitty always have tricks up their sleeves. I don’t think one 1st round DE can make as much as a difference than signing Rice and maybe picking up Mark Ingram or the tight end Rudolph. In todays NFL the teams with the most explosive offenses and a mediocre-but consistant defense seem to win championship’s.
dbsham
April 28th, 2011
11:29 am
People. Do you not remember anything about our playoff loss to Green Bay last year? Did we really lose that game because we did not have another playmaker receiver or was it because we needed another playmaker defensive end? Its called pass rush. We got behind in the game because we didn’t have one and when we got to the QB, we whiffed on tackles. Our ball control offense is not built to come back from huge deficits. Let’s fix the defense first and get the toys later.
Mikey
April 28th, 2011
11:31 am
some of you, not all, have made the arguement that “trading up is too much to give away on an unproven player”…now, if a first rounder and one of the best recievers in the draft is unproven and not worth much, then what are the 2nd and 4th rounders worth? i say, if you can do it, then do it…the falcs are not in THAT bad of shape….sure, we can use a DE, but everyone is saying to draft a DE at 27, when the arguement is that first rounders are unproven…see my point? trade up and when the NFL opens up free agency, sign a DE that can help now.
truth
April 28th, 2011
11:34 am
So you are comparing Julio Jones to Andre and Fitz???
umm I highly doubt he will be that good
Avant23
April 28th, 2011
11:42 am
DOL, Is Hankerson out of Miami a possibility or is he not the type of receiver TD is looking for. I know Hanks pro day wasn’t the best in the world, but the guy can play and he’s a big target.
slim
April 28th, 2011
11:44 am
Why Trade that many draft picks away when all the receiver class has about 10 2 11 good receivers no our team isn’t as good as y’all think we had a soft schedule and we won to many last second games our defense is atrocious. Trade down and get more picks we need 2 defensive line that can rush the passer also our linebackers are good against the run the scheme we run calls for good quick n fast in coverage linebackers with speed Curtis Lofton and Mike P need to be replaced on passing downs don’t u fools watch any of our games that’s why so many running backs in tight ends catch complete passes we need also 2 linebackers who can cover in space with speed and blitzing ability also a Receiver with speed who can block a running back with speed and pass protecting ability and a offensive lineman we have 9 picks if we pick up 2 more we can acquire these type of players Trade down Please Mr D
slim
April 28th, 2011
11:48 am
The pass 3 years of our defense has been at the bottom it should not take 4 years to build an elite defense Green Bay did not punt they did not punt the only dam team in the playoffs that didn’t punt that’s a dam shame. IT exposed our D Coordinator Brian Van Gorder go back to College
Mike Jay
April 28th, 2011
11:49 am
6th-7th best DE or 1st-2nd best WR….. which will be more impactful? Now I think it is a slightly too high price to pay but I am intrigued by this. Very intrigued.
cantondawg
April 28th, 2011
11:50 am
No way would i trade a first rounder, two second rounder and a 4th rounder for Julio Jones. Sure, he’s a great receiver but you can fill three or four positions with those picks. We need DE, TE and some OL’s
Frontman
April 28th, 2011
11:58 am
Have you guys watched our linebackers? None of them covers well at all. Weatherspoon will hopefully be a beast next year, but Lofton is adequate at best and doesn’t look like he’s getting any better. We need one more playmaker at that position, whether it is by the draft or FA. D Led, what is the take on linebackers in the draft (not hybrid DE/LB, but true linebackers)?
Phattso
April 28th, 2011
12:00 pm
Steve Smith, WR Panthers. That’s our guy. Go for it!!!
James
April 28th, 2011
12:06 pm
Orlando it sounds nice but I think the Falcons have a non written policy of not taking underclasman.Look back over the drafts when was the last time they took one?
cantondawg
April 28th, 2011
12:07 pm
Icefan,
I would love to see the Falcons get Cobb too…He’s a multi-dimensional player that the falcons could use. He can play RB and WR
cantondawg
April 28th, 2011
12:09 pm
The only way i would trade up for Julio is if i felt that i could sign a Free agent DE that would be better than any in the draft. If we feel that we can go the free agent route to meet our other needs then JJ may be a good choice
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 28th, 2011
12:13 pm
JONESBORO SLIM — I like him. Murray can catch the ball.
F-105 Thunderchief
April 28th, 2011
12:22 pm
“The Falcons could send their first, second and fourth round picks this year along with next year’s second to the Lions.”
That sounds like an awful lot to switch first round picks. Three other picks, including two seconds? Nah, don’t do it.
JONESBORO SLIM
April 28th, 2011
12:26 pm
DOL
Thank you DL..I’m glad somebody listening to me Murray is two players in one…for those you who don’t know him….check him out…the guy got speed speed speed 4.3 forty
KC in Smyrna
April 28th, 2011
12:29 pm
What about trying to sign Steve Smith as the #2/#3 WR to get down the field? I’d rather sign a veteran WR instead of trading up for a rookie who has to learn how to play WR. Only AJ Green will make a major impact next year.
DC-5xSB Winners
April 28th, 2011
12:30 pm
To me Julio Jones is another Rody White. I don’t mean he’ll come in & play like Rody does now. Rather it’ll take him time to develop into the WR people thing he can be.
Mike S
April 28th, 2011
12:32 pm
I think that’s too much to pay to drop down 14 spots in the draft. I don’t think 4 top draft picks is worth it for Julio.
No Crying
April 28th, 2011
12:34 pm
I have been a lifelong(suffering) falcon fan since their inception, and I currently live in Boise ID where I have had the pleasure of watching Titus Young since he got here. Young is exciting and dynamic who makes things happen. He is is best when the game is on the line, he goes and gets the ball. If the birds can get lucky and pick up young, the bird-nation will be delighted for years to come.
4th and Long Gone
April 28th, 2011
12:35 pm
You mean Detroit doesn’t want ANOTHER wide receiver? If Matt Millen were still there, they would probably take Julio themselves!
bgfalcon
April 28th, 2011
12:37 pm
i think mcshay has us trading our whole draft with the cards at 5.
MistaGamer
April 28th, 2011
12:42 pm
Sounds like the Falcons are looking to fill most of their holes through free agency this year. I really this upcoming post-draft free agency period due to the lock out could go 2 ways. It can either become an extreme feeding frenzy or a real buyers’ market. I just don’t think their will be much in between due to the uniqueness of it starting after the draft this year.
Most teams are probably going to be aggressive in addressing their needs in the draft due to the uncertainty of the post-draft free agency market. However, there could be an extra-premium on coveted proven free agents.
SawThat1nce
April 28th, 2011
12:42 pm
The Falcons look like they need a pass rush that can get to the opposing QB a second or split second faster than what they did most of last year.
That should be the focus of their attention. one way or the other.
That is my opinion.
Jay
April 28th, 2011
12:56 pm
Ryan doesn’t have the arm to hit a deep threat consistently. Julio isn’t going to make Ryan’s noodle arm any stronger.
Lester Miles
April 28th, 2011
1:09 pm
Kris Durham is big and fast (4.4 fourty) and has great hands. Don’t trade away so much for Jones when Durham can fill the bill for a lot less.