The Atlanta Falcons will likely stay par for the course and draft defense to help the team's struggling line and lack of sacks. The Falcons have met with all of the top prospects heading into the first round and could grab a number of players to be the starting pass rusher. However, as the draft gets closer, the Falcons are getting linked to several trade deals. They range from crazy with Adrian Peterson to potentially plausible with Bruce Irvin.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting the Seattle Seahawks are not picking up the 2016 option for Irvin and the defensive end could be traded with the Atlanta Falcons as the projected landing spot. Irvin's option is worth $7.751 million and with the Seahawks already putting big money down on Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch along with a big contract headed to Russell Wilson that deal is not ideal for the salary cap space.
Rapoport writes that ideally the Seahawks would like to re-sign Irvin to a contract, but they might prefer a trade considering the pass rusher will not come cheap. Irvin is only 27 with plenty of success on his resume. He put up 37 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions returned for touchdowns last year. If available, the interest in Irvin would be very high.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the next step for Irvin could be a trade to the Falcons where he could reunite with his former defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn. Irvin is from Atlanta so he is comfortable with the area. The Falcons have the cap space to be able to pick up the option of the pass rusher and then potentially re-sign him. Whether the Falcons are truly seeking a trade is unknown. The team will not look to give up anything higher than a fourth round pick at best, but there is no question Irvin would be a huge upgrade to the line.
The first round of the draft might not have a huge impact on whether or not the Falcons seek this deal. The team only signed rotational depth in free agency meaning they are hoping to get someone in the draft that can be the starter. Pairing someone like Vic Beasley or Dante Fowler with Irvin would give the Falcons a solid tandem on the line. General manager Thomas Dimitroff hinted that the Falcons might trade up to get a pass rusher. If a deal is put in place for Irvin, they might not seek the jump up the boards.