Atlanta Falcons' acquisition of Tony Gonzalez intriguing for New York Jets

by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger

Thursday April 23, 2009, 6:16 PM

Marco Garcia/Associated PressTony Gonzalez played in the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Holed up in their draft bunker, the Jets have to be smiling about the Falcons acquiring veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez Thursday from Kansas City for a 2010 second-round pick.

Why?

That means the Falcons, at 24, are no longer looking at Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew and he could slip into the mid- to late-20s, enabling the Jets to trade down --- get an additional pick -- and nab Pettigrew, who would be a replacement for veteran Chris Baker.

Pettigrew would have to get past the Eagles at 21, but if he does, he could freefall to a point where the Jets would feel they could get good value for him. Draft experts say Pettigrew isn't good enough to be taken at 17.