The Atlanta Falcons' interest level in Jadeveon Clowney is quickly gaining speed as the NFL Draft approaches in just over a week. The team has met with the defensive end twice and even put him through a string of performance testing to see just what his NFL potential could be. Clowney meets a major need of the Falcons' but will not be around a No. 6. So could the team be serious in trading for the No. 1 overall pick?
Thomas Dimitroff has made one thing clear in his tenure as general manager, he is not afraid of making a splashy trade in the draft. He made the big trade for wide receiver Julio Jones just three years ago. That has paid off pretty well so far. He made a trade up last season for cornerback Desmond Trufant. He had an excellent rookie campaign and looks poised to develop into a real threat. Could the team do the same for Jadeveon Clowney?
The Falcons need Clowney. Their defense has some age on it in Osi Umenyiora and that does not play well for Dimitroff's plan to get more aggressive defensively. Clowney would be that premier pass rusher the team needs among other things. To get him they must trade. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Falcons are prepared to begin negotiations with the Houston Texans for the No. 1 overall pick in order to draft Clowney. If that fails, the team will wait and see who Houston drafts before attempting to negotiate a move with the St. Louis Rams.
If the Falcons fail to make any moves up to get Clowney, Rapoport reports that the team will trade down since the top ten is packed with versatility and talent. The Falcons could make a move for Khalil Mack or Anthony Barr is need be. However, the team is favoring Clowney over everyone.
A trade with Houston is possible. Mike Florio is reporting that the Texans are considering drafting Clowney, Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Khalil Mack. However, if a team comes and offers a good deal, they would be more than willing to move down and gather more picks for later. Mack will still be around, as will Bortles at No. 6 giving the Texans options. Head coach Bill O'Brien also likes what he sees in Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron and could trade down for a later-round quarterback.
