Back in 2011 Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff pulled of a huge draft day trade giving up 5 picks to the Cleveland Browns in order to move up to get Wide Receiver Julio Jones, a move that was largely criticised at the time. Note, ‘at the time’ since no one is questioning the move now they have seen what Jones has brought to the team.

With the 2013 NFL draft less than a week away the Falcons and Dimitroff are not shying away from the possibility of another big trade enabling them to move up from their current spot at 30 to what you have to presume would be at least 15 places if not more in order to get that player that could help take the Falcons to that next step, the SuperBowl.

Dimitroff said, “We’ve been open about it,” Dimitroff said, via ESPN.com. “I think it’s very clear we’re open for big deals if they come across our table and we’re interested.”

What Falcons fans may not know is that Dimitroff had been thinking about that 2011 trade some 7 months prior to its execution, although its hard to think that the same time frame of planning has gone into it this time around, especially with the Falcons so close to making the SuperBowl last season.

The question remains what possible player the Falcons would be looking for if they were to make another big draft day trade but the team needs are definitely on the defensive side of the ball. Signing free agent defensive end Osi Umenyiora, helps fill the Falcons biggest need, in getting to the quarterback but this move does not mean the Falcons are set at this position and they clearly still need help here and drafting one of the top defensive ends in the draft would certainly help.

The second position of need would be at cornerback after they cut Dunta Robinson and lost Brent Grimes in free agency. The Falcons are short on corners even if the decide to start Robert McClain opposite Asante Samuel.