Falcons are bracing for losing a draft pick

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff could create a lot of salary cap space. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff could create a lot of salary cap space. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is bracing for the team’s penalties from the noise gate investigation, which could include the loss of a high draft pick possibly in the 2015 draft.

“We are just so full of scenarios and that’s kind of how we approach the offseason as it is,” Dimitroff said on 680 The Fan Friday morning. “We’ve been very detailed on how we are going to approach things if in fact we have availability at certain points in the draft.”

Dimitroff said the team doesn’t officially know of its plight, although there was an report that the team was informed of 'severe' penalties at the owners’ meeting.

“I do not know at this point, officially,” Dimitroff said. “I have not (received)  word from the league.”

The league would not confirm that they have informed the Falcons of their penalty. The league will officially inform the Falcons via a written letter from commissioner Roger Goodell.

“I believe that we’ll be expecting something,” Dimitroff said. “Usually, when you get indication from the league it is via print.”

Dimitroff would not speculate on the penalty.

“I’m reading the same things that you are,” Dimitroff said. “Obviously, it’s been a process for us."

If the Falcons lose a pick, they’ll consider trading the eighth to pick to help recover the loss pick.

“We have to think about the long-term of course,” Dimitroff said. “It depends where that pick is going to affect us, if it does affect is. We will consider that, yes.”

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VIDEO DEPARTMENT

Watch: D. Led -- Falcons news at the combine

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Watch: Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff at the combine

Watch: Falcons coach Dan Quinn at the combine

Watch: Rams GM Les Snead on the pass-rush talent at the combine

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Falcons met with Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson

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PHOTO GALLERIES

Photographs from the 2015 NFL scouting combine

Photos of players with Georgia ties at the scouting combine

Photos of NFL pass rusher set to enter free agency