2012 NFL Draft: Atlanta Falcons Acquire Asante Samuel for a 7th-Round Pick

The Atlanta Falcons have brought in Asante Samuel for a seventh-round pick and restructured his salary from $21 million or so over two years to a $18.5 million over three years.

This is a brilliant trade by Thomas Dimitroff and really sets the Falcons up perfectly to truly go with the best player available in the draft.

That being said, the Falcons are one of the top defensive secondaries in the NFL with this move. The nickel package won't be a scary thing for Falcons fans anymore, as they will be ecstatic to have someone who can cover and make plays at the cornerback position.

Atlanta got an absolute steal here by giving up just a seventh-round pick for one of the most dominating playmakers in the game, and will have scary looks for the nickel and dime packages.

The biggest question people have is about who will be playing slot. The best thing is that all three players have the ability to play either outside or in the slot.

The Falcons have the ability to absorb an injury to a guy like Grimes or Samuel and still have two starting-caliber corners. The nickel package is going to be their base next year.

The Falcons will likely have a nickel package based on Abraham, Edwards, Peters and Babineaux on the line, Nicholas and Weatherspoon at the linebacker spots and a secondary with Robinson, Grimes, Samuel, Decoud and Moore in it.

Atlanta lucked out in this trade and truly made the Eagles give up one of their top defenders for next to nothing.

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