Falcons had ambitious NFL Draft plan even after taking Michael Penix Jr.

Dec 27, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmet on the field before a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons stunned the NFL world by picking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the draft. Had they had their way, it sounds like they would have had more surprises up their sleeve.

The New York Jets released video of general manager Joe Douglas in the team’s draft room last Thursday during the first round. Douglas can be seen telling others that he had just spoken with the Falcons, who intended to pick at No. 8, but also wanted to trade back up and land the Jets’ No. 10 pick.

Interesting video from Draft night inside the #Jets room with GM Joe Douglas.
Atlanta called, “they’re definitely picking.”
“And then they want to move back up.” #Falcons pic.twitter.com/gHIt0bM82l

— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) May 1, 2024

Falcons GM Terry Fontenot confirmed that the team had called everyone in the first round to try to move back up, but were unsuccessful in doing so.

Falcons called every team from No. 9 to No. 32 trying to get back into first round, Terry Fontenot said. https://t.co/yrOA5saXTf

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) May 1, 2024

This does not exactly add much clarity to the Falcons’ draft strategy. They selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall, a decidedly odd choice and one that left Kirk Cousins quite frustrated. Cousins wanted the Falcons to get a piece that would help them now, but perhaps they were still trying to do that even after landing Penix.

Perhaps the Falcons wanted a cornerback or another position of need, as no defender had come off the board by this point. Fontenot admitted that had been a priority, though he did it in a way that only invited further criticism.