The Atlanta Falcons have salary cap space to burn and will need to decide how to use it heading into the NFL Draft. Head coach Dan Quinn made it clear that the team had wrapped up their free agency spending so many fans are left wondering exactly what that money will be used for. As Julio Jones hopes that money is being use for his new contract extension, could a trade for Adrian Peterson actually be in the future?
According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, the Falcons are one of six teams interested in Peterson. This report is not totally shocking considering the Falcons were linked to DeMarco Murray when he was available. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that the run game will be a priority for the offense this year as the Falcons enter the season with Devonta Freeman and Antone Smith as their rotation. However, marquee trades like this are out of character for general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Tomasson writes that the cost for Peterson could be a first-round draft pick. On top of that, the Falcons would have to also be willing to pick up his high-priced contract. Yes, the team does have the space to take the deal on, but is their need for another running back great enough to spend a first-round pick on a 30-year-old veteran? According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Falcons have held pre-draft visits with top rushers like Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon and Ameer Abdullah. It makes more sense to spend a first-round pick on a running back that would be around for years to come, not one approaching the end of his career.
Instead, the extra cap space will likely be headed to Jones. The wide receiver is entering the final year of his contract and expected to ink a long-term extension. Both Quinn and Dimitroff have made it clear that they intend to keep Jones around for a long time, but Vaughn McClure of ESPN reported earlier in the offseason that the team had yet to begin negotiations with the wide receiver causing some fans to worry.
Right now, several big-named wide receivers are awaiting new contracts. Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, AJ Green and Jones are all in the same boat and it appears most teams are just waiting for the market to be set before getting a deal done. The Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals are waiting for someone to make the first move and no one is budging. It is unclear if the Falcons will be able to get a contract done, but they certainly have the money to make it work.
