Falcons GM addresses trading No. 8 pick

If you had to wager on a team trading its pick inside the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft, sportsbooks would tell you the smart money is on the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3.

But according to Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot, he’s had discussions about trading both up and back, and the Falcons’ No. 8 pick could be available for the right price.

"We've already talked to a couple teams after us because we want to be open," Fontenot told reporters during Tuesday’s pre-draft news conference. "We've talked to teams in front of us and behind us. We'll continue to have those conversations - we want to be flexible. It's our job just to be prepared for whatever happens.”

Fontenot’s phone could be ringing off the hook if any of the draft’s top four quarterbacks — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson — make it past the Las Vegas Raiders at pick No. 7. 

Several teams have reportedly discussed moving up for a QB including Tennessee (No. 11), Tampa Bay (No. 19) and Minnesota (No. 23).

Fontenot reiterated Tuesday what many scouts and draft experts have been saying for weeks: There may be more uncertainty with the 2023 draft than there’s been in years.