The Falcons have plenty of draft capital to swing a trade for several potential targets.
La’Jarius Sneed has been franchise-tagged, and Atlanta has reportedly expressed interest. A few more names have emerged on the trade market too.
According to The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini, the Steelers moving Diontae Johnson isn’t out of the question. She reported on Saturday morning that the pass catcher may be available via trade.
The Steelers are open to listening to trade offers on WR Diontae Johnson. There is interest from teams around the league as GMs are getting set for free agency.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2024
In his five year career with Pittsburgh, Jonhson has totaled 391 catches, 4,363 and 25 touchdowns. For a Falcons team that doesn’t have another receiver worth a damn other than Drake London, it makes sense for Terry Fontenot to inquire about the potential asking price.
Johnson is entering the last year of his contract, set to earn $7 million as a base salary in 2024. If the Falcons were to acquire him, an extension would likely have to be in place. The Steelers wideout isn’t the only new face that may be available.
Earlier in the morning, Ian Rapoport reported that the Eagles have taken trade calls for Josh Sweat in addition to Haason Reddick.
In summary: The #Eagles are having trade calls for DE Josh Sweat and edge Haason Reddick also has permission to facilitate a trade. A really interesting situation to watch on the Philly defense as they rework themselves for 2024.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2024
The former fourth-round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft began his career as a rotational player but has since blossomed into a reliable edge rusher, putting up at least six sacks in four straight seasons. His best season came during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run when he collected 11 sacks.
The former Pro Bowler is headed into the final year of a three-year, $42 million deal he signed in 2021. Sweat will have a base salary of just $1.125 million, according to Spotrac. Similar to Johnson, a trade would presumably lead to an extension for Sweat.
Reddick might be older, turning 30 next season, but is coming off four consecutive double-digit sack campaigns, including an All-Pro campaign in 2022. Reddick is heading into the final year of his deal as well but his base salary is north of $14 million, but an extension for the veteran isn’t out of the realm of possibilities either.
They aren’t the only pass rushers either. Dianna Russini added Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack to the trade block, reporting that the Chargers are open to offers.
The Chargers are open to trade offers for many veteran players including Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, per sources. There are teams interested but many around the league are willing to wait to see if the Chargers cut them soon.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2024
Bosa has dealt with injuries his entire career, missing nine in 2018, four in 2020 as well as 20 in the last two seasons, but when he’s on the field, the Ohio State product is a productive pass rusher.
In each of the seasons where he appeared in double-digit games, he recorded double-digit sacks. It’s just a question of whether he’d be on the field or not for the Falcons. He’s under contract for the next two seasons and comes with a base salary of $15 million in 2024 and $17 million in 2025.
Mack just turned in the best season of his career, which happened to be his 10th. In 2023, he recorded 17 sacks, 74 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles and 10 passes defended. Even though he’s 33 years old, the Falcons could do much worse, and Atlanta would only be inheriting a one-year deal with a $17.55 million base salary.
The Falcons would be a much better team with any of these potential trade targets.
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