ESPN on what Falcons should be targeting at NFL trade deadline

The Falcons are expected to be in the market for an edge rusher at the trade deadline, but what about the specifics?

Does Terry Fontenot prefer a veteran on an expiring deal? Or perhaps an underwhelming youngster who just needs a change of scenery? Falcons fans would likely prefer a proven commodity under multiple years of control.

The only issue is those kinds of pass rushers rarely become available, and when they do, every club in the league will throw their hat in the ring. The Falcons will have plenty of competition for the limited supply available at the trade deadline, though it’s unclear what they’ll be targeting.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Falcons should be targeting someone who is under team control past the 2024 campaign, and he does believe Atlanta should be buyers at the trade deadline.

“Again, the Falcons shouldn’t be looking for a player who is a free agent after the season. But another defender to get after the quarterback would solidify their chances of both winning their division and the home playoff game that follows.”

I think the market will dictate what the Falcons should do. A guy like Za’Darius Smith is reportedly available and has another year of team control at a very palatable price, but he will be 33 years old in 2025. Are the Falcons really interested in that?

Granted, Smith’s 2025 salary is non-guaranteed, so the Falcons could, in theory, experiment with the veteran in 2024 and make a decision this offseason about next year.

Another multi-year target is Harold Landry, but the Titans pass rusher is only 28 years old, so it’s a much different situation. Landry is in his prime and is under contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons with a base salary of $17.5 million in each one.

In his last two healthy seasons, he logged 10.5 and 12.5 sacks, respectively. The Boston College product has 4.0 sacks and 11 pressures through seven games for the Titans this season; both of those marks would lead the Falcons.

The pass rush is so bad in Atlanta that Landry alone won’t fix it. Hell, no player outside of Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, etc., would fix it individually. However, it would be a significant step towards improving that facet of the team to a place where it’s not costing the Falcons games.

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