Media by Associated Press – FILE – Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (1) and Desmond Ridder (4) prepare before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Friday, Aug. 12, 2022. The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the 2022 season.The Falcons were 5-8 with Mariota as the starter before rookie Desmond Ridder started the final four games, winning two. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FILE)
A high NFL Draft pick can provide great value to an NFL franchise. Usually, when you are picking high, it means things haven’t gone well for you. But sometimes, moving down the draft board and acquiring more assets can better set the team up for the future.
Here are three NFL teams that could benefit from sliding down the draft board.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons showed some spark in the middle of the season before collapsing down the stretch. While there is still a lot to find out about the quarterback Atlanta drafted last year, Desmond Ridder, there is a belief that the Falcons are on the right path to putting together a roster. Atlanta, which holds the No. 8 pick this year, was in the same position last season.
The Falcons added a wide receiver, Drake London, in this spot last season. Atalanta showed some flashes of potential last season and could use a trade that would allow them to add more capital.
The NFC South should be an open race this season, and making some improvements could allow any of the four teams to grab the title.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals made the playoffs two seasons ago and seemed to be a franchise trending upward. Kyler Murray showed potential as a young signal caller, and Arizona gave coach Kilff Kingsbury a large extension. However, the Cardinals regressed significantly last season.
Arizona missed the postseason as the Cardinals got hit with injuries and bad luck. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins kicked off the misfortune as he earned a suspension. Murray would get hurt and be out for a significant amount of time.
Long story short, Kingsbury was fired following a season where Arizona was never really in the playoffs race. The Cardinals need a lot of help at different spots. Moving down the draft board could provide them with an opportunity to jumpstart their rebuild.
The Cardinals would like to find a way to quickly rebuild the franchise.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are also two seasons removed from making the playoffs. Las Vegas has also seen serious turnover. Long-time starting quarterback Derek Carr left the franchise, but the Raiders drafted veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to help out. If Garoppolo stays healthy, Las Vegas could lean on its running game and playmakers at wide receiver.
The Raiders don’t seem to be in as bad of shape as a lot of the players in the top 10 in the draft. If Las Vegas trades down, the Raiders could benefit from adding players at a number of different positions. Garoppolo was a risky signing at quarterback, but he has a history with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels.
With the number of quarterbacks potentially available in the first round, Las Vegas may be in a spot to grab some value out of being in the top 10.
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