Lead ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that the tampering investigation for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles could conclude "as early as this week." The timing of this verdict is imperative with the 2024 NFL draft rapidly approaching this Thursday, April 25th through Saturday, April 27th.
The NFL's investigation into alleged tampering charges against the Falcons for their involvement with then-free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Eagles for their involvement with then-free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is ongoing and could reach a conclusion as early as this week, per sources.
Sources believe the discipline, which is likely to involve draft picks, is expected to be more severe for the Falcons.
Schefter also gives two examples of recent tampering punishments for Falcons and Eagles fans to dread as they await the final ruling.
The Dolphins forfeited their 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round selection for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton on three occasions from 2019 to 2022. Team owner Stephen Ross and vice chairman/limited partner Bruce Beal were fined; Ross was fined $1.5 million, while Beal was fined $500,000.
The Chiefs forfeited their 2016 third-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round selection for tampering with Jeremy Maclin in 2015. The Chiefs were also fined $250,000. Coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000, and general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000.
If Atlanta has to give up a second-round pick as early as this year, the draft strategy for General Manager Terry Fontenot and the brass shifts dramatically.
The Falcons may be forced to take an edge rusher in the first round, instead of a corner or other pick based on their need at the position and the depth in this draft (Third-round cornerbacks in this draft are a better value than third-round edge rushers). Atlanta could be forced to utilize that extra third-round pick from Jacksonville that they could use for a developmental quarterback, and use it to trade up for an impact player to surround Kirk Cousins.
Many draft scenarios for this ruling coming in sooner rather than later could affect Atlanta. The downside for Falcons fans is that none of these scenarios end positively.
