The Falcons have a clear need ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Atlanta ranks dead last in the league with six sacks, and their pressure numbers aren’t much better. Jimmy Lake can do more to help his guys, but the players need to be better as well, especially Matthew Judon.
However, the in-house talent can only improve the Falcons pass rush so much. There has to be an injection of talent at the trade deadline. Terry Fontenot cannot rest on his laurels; the Falcons have to acquire a pass rusher, but it won’t be easy. A quarter of the NFL could be in the market for the exact same thing.
The Ravens will have salary cap challenges to overcome, but Eric DeCosta is among the best and most aggressive GMs in football, and Baltimore could use another edge rusher. While looking like the class of the AFC, DeCosta has to see 2024 as his best chance to get to a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson. They won’t be desperate, though.
The Cowboys might seem like a club that will stand pat, but they’re still in play for the division. They should be getting Micah Parsons back sooner than DeMarcus Lawrence, but they could use a defensive tackle. No, it’s not an edge rusher, but it’s a pass rusher, and there’s more than one way to skin a cat. The Falcons aren’t in a position to turn away from anyone who can help their pass rush, even if it’s a defensive tackle.
The Falcons’ stiffest competition is going to be the Lions. The combination of their hot start and Aidan Hutchinson‘s season-ending injury will make Brad Holmes a dangerous player in the market for a pass rusher. It’s not only Hutchinson either; Marcus Davenport is also out for the season. The Lions are starting undrafted free agents and Day 3 draft picks.
The Jets might not seem like competition for the Falcons because Haason Reddick ended his holdout, but they are. New York still has needs on the defensive line, but their 2-5 start certainly puts their trade deadline status in question. They could be buyers and sellers.
Howie Roseman is up there with the most aggressive GMs in the business. The Eagles have totaled 19 sacks, so why would they be in the market for a pass rusher? Well, 13 of those sacks came in the first two weeks of the season. Moreover, Josh Sweat‘s contract expires this offseason, and Bryce Huff hasn’t given Philly the kind of production the team hoped for when they signed him this offseason. It might not seem like it, but the Eagles are more competition for the Falcons.
The 49ers sit in an unfamiliar place, under .500 through the first couple of months of the season. They’ll be looking for another defensive lineman, regardless of their record, because they’ve got Kyle Shanahan. The former Falcons offensive coordinator always has a shot, and he’ll need more talent on the defensive line with Javon Hargrave out for the season, Yetur Gross-Matos out for several more weeks, and virtually no depth behind Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd. If an opportunity arises, the Niners will be in the conversation.
And finally, the Falcons will be fighting with a division rival for pass rushers. The Buccaneers are one of the best teams in the NFC, but GM Jason Licht needs to add to the edge and cornerback rooms. Nothing is sweeter than stealing a player from your division rival.
Suffice to say, it won’t be easy for Terry Fontenot to add to the Falcons pass rush.
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