The Falcons have an exciting offseason ahead of them with a new head coach in Raheem Morris, another top 10 draft pick, and ample cap space to spend in free agency.
Morris, Zac Robinson, and Terry Fontenot’s top priority remains figuring out the quarterback position. The draft, free agent, and trade markets are all options, but the roster has other needs as well.
The Falcons still need a pass rusher who can be relied upon to put up double-digit sacks every season. That is right behind quarterback as the most prominent position of need for the team. Beyond that, Raheem Morris’ roster needs a wide receiver, cornerback, and as always more bodies in the trenches.
Much like the quarterback position, the Falcons can address their other needs through the draft, free agent, and trade markets.
Bleacher Report recently identified a couple of trade targets that would fill both needs — Justin Fields and Khalil Mack. Both wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg while filling the Falcons’ two most pressing needs.
Bleacher Report also identified the team’s three most valuable trade assets in that same article. Richie Grant, Jonnu Smith, and Desmond Ridder were the players listed.
I couldn’t disagree more. Smith and Grant have more trade value than Ridder, but all three would be better suited in Atlanta than the Falcons would be with the measly draft capital each would net in a trade.
Ridder is more than capable of being a backup quarterback, and Smith is coming off a career resurgence. Grant may have been unseated by a rookie seventh-round pick in DeMarrco Hellams, but he’s still a former second-round pick that shouldn’t be given up on yet.
However, Bleacher Report still wants to see the Bills trade for the Falcons 2021 second-round pick Richie Grant. “Both Azeez Ojulari and Richie Grant are in the final year of their rookie contracts with their respective franchises. Both would address needs with cap hits of less than $3 million.”
The Falcons most valuable trade assets are Kyle Pitts and A.J. Terrell. Moving one of Grant, Smith, or Ridder wouldn’t net anything of value or save much cap space. Moving someone like Pitts or Terrell would actually return something of value.
If one of the first three selections in the draft becomes available, the Falcons shouldn’t hesitate to include one of Pitts or Terrell in a trade to acquire a potential franchise quarterback.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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