Will the Falcons Trade Up for Calvin Johnson?

I've seen the future and it is Calvin Johnson. Actually, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has already posted its Sunday section, even though it's still Saturday. Anyway, following Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson lighting up the NFL Combine last week with a 4.35-forty, there has been a groundswell of internet support for the Falcons to draft him.

The only problem, though, is that Atlanta currently holds the 10th overall pick. If Johnson makes it past the Buccaneers at four, I'll be shocked.

In Falcons chat rooms and blogs on the Internet, fans are pleading for president and general manager Rich McKay to make a move to get the former Georgia Tech receiver from Sandy Creek High.

I feel safe in writing that basing personnel decisions on chat room and blog sentiments leads to drafting guys like Charles Rogers and Mike Williams. The Falcons did move up eight spots in last year's draft to take cornerback Jimmy Williams, but that was in the second round, where's it's much easier -- and more affordable -- to pull off.

The AJC also speculates the Texans want to move up to No. 3 and nab Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, which could complicate a Johnson-Falcons dream marriage. Atlanta probably won't try to trade up because of the prohibitive cost. While it's easy to make fun of the Detroit Lions for their annual draft gaffes, it's worth noting the Falcons have had similar results with their first-round wide receivers. Both Michael Jenkins and Roddy White -- taken in 2004 and 2005 -- have been unimpressive. Granted, not Rogers-Williams unimpressive, but nothing more than barely average, either. Somehow, I think Falcons fans would forget all that if the club managed to land Calvin Johnson.