The Falcons provided the most stunning pick of the 2024 NFL Draft but their night could have been even more shocking.
Atlanta called the Jets to see if Gang Green would trade it the No. 10 pick in the draft, as shown in the Jets’ behind-the-scenes video from the draft.
The Falcons wanted to grab a second top-10 selection to pair with its No. 8 pick, which it used to make the most controversial pick of the draft by nabbing Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
“We had guys that we obviously were trying to get back into the first for,” said Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, according to the team website.
One of the biggest criticisms of Atlanta grabbing Penix was it did nothing to help bolster a roster that seemingly wants to win this year after adding quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Jets’ video, though, shows that Atlanta seemingly attempted to do so.
The Atlanta-centric part begins after Jets general manager Joe Douglas tells his staff that Tennessee, at No. 7, would be selecting offensive tackle JT Latham.
The video is timestamped 8:50 p.m. ET.
Two minutes later, Douglas discusses his eventual trade with the Vikings before Atlanta is mentioned for the first time at 8:55 p.m. Tennessee was still on the clock at this time.
“They are definitely picking, they said,” Douglas said while looking at his phone.
“That was Atlanta?” an unidentified person asked.
“Yeah, Atlanta,” Douglas replied.
The person then said, “They’re going to…” and the audio seems to cut out, but the Jets’ captioning said the person asked if Atlanta was taking a defender.
“They want to come back up to 10, so they want eight and 10,” Douglas said.
The video then shows the room being informed that Tennessee indeed took an offensive lineman and the Falcons were on the clock.
Atlanta selected Penix with that pick, the Bears drafted receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth pick and the Vikings took quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick that they acquired from the Jets.
The Jets, now sitting at No. 11, grabbed Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu.
Atlanta did not find its way back into the first round but moved up in the second round via a trade with the Cardinals to draft Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro.
The Falcons’ article featuring Fontenot’s quote mentioned the possibility of a cornerback, although the first defensive back lasted until the 22nd pick (Quinyon Mitchell to the Eagles).
The first defensive player came off the board at No. 15 when the Colts selected pass rusher Laiatu Latu.