Three trades the Falcons could make for a backup quarterback

The Falcons are going to have to add a backup quarterback at some point, and it may come after cuts, but Atlanta may need a body right now going into the last preseason game. I listed some backup quarterback options over the weekend if you want to check out a couple of names that may be available. Maybe the Falcons get anxious and make a move now, but I don’t see them going into Week 1 with Feleipe Franks backing up Matt Ryan. Personally, I don’t think giving up assets for a backup quarterback is a great idea, but it’s a possibility. If you want to draft a quarterback in the 2022 Draft, you may end up spending two picks on the position if you trade one for a backup in 2021. None of these guys are going to be able to replace Matt Ryan, so it may be a lost cause. Still, Terry Fontenot may want to shore up the position.

 

Falcons Trade: 2022 5th Round Pick

Jaguars Trade: QB Gardner Minshew II

A 5th round pick is a pretty steep price for a backup quarterback, and it’s a bit of a gamble if the Falcons plan on choosing a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft. Still, if he’s available, Minshew is easily the best option. I think the Jaguars will want to keep him around as an insurance policy in case Trevor Lawrence suffers an injury, but it’s clear that their future is with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Minshew has limited arm talent, but he can improvise and lead a football team down the field. He’s also on a very reasonable contract for the next two seasons, something that should appeal to the cap-strapped Falcons.

 

Falcons Trade: 2023 Conditional 7th Round Pick

Titans Trade: QB Logan Woodside

The Falcons have already traded a 2022 Conditional 7th Round Pick to the Bills for Lee Smith, but those conditions are still unknown. For the sake of this exercise, I’ll just use their 2023 pick. Woodside has a lot of experience under Arthur Smith, and he carved up the Falcons in the preseason. He has a pretty limited ceiling, but this is a reasonable price for a guy who is familiar with the coaching staff.

 

Falcons Trade: 2022 Conditional 6th Round Pick

Bears Trade: QB Nick Foles

If the Bears trade Nick Foles, the Falcons would only be on the hook for $4 million of his salary in 2021 and $8 million in 2022. However, if they choose to draft a quarterback in the next draft, the Falcons can cut Foles and save $3 million against the cap in 2022. Seems like a win for both sides; the Falcons get one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league (when subbed in a pinch), and the Bears clear up a logjam and free up some cap space. If Chicago is comfortable with Justin Fields and Andy Dalton as their two quarterbacks, they could look to unload Foles. Nobody needs a backup quarterback more than the Falcons.