The Falcons wasted a valuable draft pick for something that everyone does. The NFL has been known for inconsistent sanctions over the years. We frequently see smaller breaches punished more harshly than larger violations.
The Atlanta Falcons know this personally, as they were investigated for tampering after acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins. Yes, it was evident they tampered, but every team does it, and they are rarely penalized. Atlanta was fined and docked a fifth-round pick, which did not seem like a big deal—it could have been much worse.
However, due to their success this season, the Falcons were looking for pass rush help before the trade deadline. They finally didn’t make a move, which may be traced back to
Tampering penalty. Falcons’ deadline quiet is directly tied to their lost fifth-round pick.
This year’s NFL trade deadline focused on day-three choices. There were few day-two picks due to a dearth of top-tier players, which hurt the Atlanta Falcons for two reasons. The first and most obvious limitation was that they couldn’t offer teams a fifth-round pick. That variety of remuneration was extremely valuable, and Terry Fontenot’s plans were ultimately derailed by the lack of it.
Second, and maybe less evident, the Falcons have only five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They traded their third-round pick for Matt Judon, forfeited their fifth-round pick as punishment for tampering, then traded their sixth-round pick for Van Jefferson.
There are repercussions to exiting the draft with fewer than five players. Not
It not only impacts your depth but also your salary cap. Ultimately, Terry Fontenot and the Falcons were hesitant to trade more picks and refused to overpay for anyone. Whether we like it or not, that is the reality. The NFL’s choice to grab a fifth-round pick damaged them at the trade deadline, not at the draft.
It is unfortunate that we have witnessed double standards with tampering breaches. The league either ignores breaches or imposes conflicting punishments.
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