Just how bad was the Falcons trade?

In the offseason of little activity, I've gone back to looking at the draft. For easy access, the Falcons traded their first, second, fourth, and next years first and fourth do the browns to get Julio Jones.

I'm looking at what they could have done this year if they didn't draft Jones. At the first round spot they were at, Johnathan Baldwin was drafted. At the second rounder they gave up, greg little was drafted and randall cobb was still available.

Forget the other positions that were available, the Falcons clearly wanted a second WR in this draft. IMO the most sucessful passing teams in this league have depth at WR as opposed to having 2 all stars. I would personally rather have Greg Little (or randall cobb....or torrey smith if they were willing to part with that 4th to trade up) and Johnathan Baldwin over Julio Jones. And then you add in the fact that they gave up two more 4th rounders and next years 1st. And then you add in the fact that as the 6th pick Jones will make tripple what Little and Baldwin will make combined. It just seems like the worst draft swap strategy I've heard of since Ricky Williams.

I moved this to the Draft Central Forum.

Not sure if this topic deserves it's own thread. It's pretty random considering the draft was months ago, but whatever.

It was a terrible trade to be sure, especially considering the FA WR's that will be available shortly and the other WR's in the draft. I'm a big fan of Julio Jones, but to give up that much was absurd, especially when you already have Roddy White in his prime.

Falcons have decent depth after Jones and White. Harry Douglas' injury might still affect him this season though.

My view on fourth rounders is that you be expecting decent special teamers and depth players. The Falcons have one of the best special teams units in the league, so their 4th rounders are not major losses.

However, they might be passing up 3 good players for them for Jones. It seems like that they're "addressing" their D by keeping them off the field as much as possible with their O and forcing opposing teams to come back from behind.

They gave up way too much considering they could have just signed a quality free agent WR and kept all those picks. But the trade will ultimately be judged on what kind of a player Jones turns out to be.

It's kinda pretty early to determine that the trade was bad move for Falcons, don't you think? Suppose if Jones actually pans out and becomes a great receiver, then would you still believe that the trade is still bad move? Falcons have scouting team, coaches, and whoever else had the input in the trade, all combined presents a great intellect from the front office. Compared to fans altogether. However, I have to admit that Falcons did give up too much; what Falcons gave up, you would think they were trading for a franchise QB.

I remember reading an article about the move somewhere; Falcons' GM Dimitroff explained that they did extensive research on Jones, and based on interview with Jones and the results from research, convinced Dimitroff and FO that Jones was worth the trade.. We will see who's right in few years, but in my opinion, I believe Jones will flourish into a great receiver, only because he have GREAT supporting cast around him. Jones literally landed into perfect team; Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez (if he doesn't retire).

The only way this trade makes sense if Julio Jones has a breakout rookie year and ends up being the next Jerry Rice when it's all said and done. Anything short of that type of production and I would actually go as far as saying, he could end up being a bust. Again, in the context of what they gave up to acquire him.

Consider as good as Calvin Johnson was coming out of Tech, and he was the best we've seen in a while at that position, it took him a couple of years to adjust to the pro game. Even the extremely gifted Johnson continues to develop into a game changer at that position.

Sure anything could happen, Jones could be a beast but it was an overreach by the Falcons' front office by any objective measure.

To add one more point about my Calvin Johnson reference, it wasn't until the Lions starting adding pieces on defense that they were considered a contender in the NFC.

IMO they gave up to much, when FA opens up, they could of bidded for a Rice from the vikings. Only time will tell.

Terrible trade.
A more boneheaded move than the Archuletta signing.
Now I feel better.

No idea what the hell they were thinking. They needed additional help on defense and they blew their wad on a guy that most likely will end up a bust. It's moves like this that will cost a GM a job.