2020 NFL Draft Trade Rumors: Falcons Ready to Make 'Huge Leap' into Top 10

The Atlanta Falcons "appear ready to make a huge leap" from the No. 16 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport reported the Falcons have reached out to teams in the top 10 of the first round about a possible trade.

Rapoport speculated Atlanta might be targeting a defensive player, something ESPN's Jeremy Fowler echoed on Twitter:

In particular, moving up would allow the Falcons a better shot at landing one of the top cornerbacks. In his most recent mock draft, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller had Ohio State's Jeff Okudah to the Detroit Lions at No. 3 and Florida's CJ Henderson to Atlanta with the 16th pick.

Missing out on Okudah or Henderson could mean a noticeable drop in quality.

Okudah and Henderson were third and 14th overall in Miller's most recent top-50 player rankings. TCU's Jeff Gladney is the third-best corner and comes in at No. 24 overall.

If Atlanta's front office isn't fixated on a cornerback, then defensive line might be the area of focus. The unit finished last season 19th in adjusted line yards and 28th in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders.

Should that be the case, a trade might be necessary to secure the services of Auburn's Derrick Brown (No. 8 overall in Miller's rankings) or South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw (No. 10).

The Falcons don't own any fifth- or sixth-round picks, but they have the Nos. 16, 47, 78 and 119 overall selections. If Atlanta trades up, it would likely have to sacrifice a lot of flexibility to add pieces in the middle of the draft.