Falcons salary cap space one week from NFL trade deadline

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The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and there are sure to be some high-profile players on the move. Bradley Chubb, Daron Payne, and others have all been rumored to be available, which could really change the landscape of the playoff picture. The Falcons could certainly use an influx of talent along the defensive front and in the secondary because of injuries. However, Atlanta isn’t likely to be players in the trade market, but not for a lack of money.

Atlanta is more than capable, financially, of acquiring most available players for trade, sitting with just over $9 million in cap space. That money can be used for free agent additions, too, though. The Falcons’ secondary has been decimated with injuries. Casey Hayward is set to be out for at least three more weeks; AJ Terrell is dealing with a soft tissue injury and is considered week-to-week. Jaylinn Hawkins has already been ruled out for Week 8 with a concussion, and there are other depth pieces dealing with nicks and bruises.

AJ Bouye or Janoris Jenkins could be candidates; they certainly wouldn’t be too expensive. The Falcons could choose to rely on Darren Hall, Dee Alford, and Mike Ford until the starters get healthy. After all, they’re still rebuilding. The team is just ahead of schedule. The Falcons might be in playoff contention, but the regime could be looking further down the road. Giving up assets to acquire a player via trade isn’t necessarily long-term thinking unless the front office is confident they can incorporate a Chubb or Payne into their plans, which would imply contract extensions. Signing a free agent off the streets could be a way to get around such a task.

Regardless, the Falcons have enough salary cap space to make a move or two to bolster the roster. In the infant stages of the rebuild, I doubt Atlanta will make any kind of trade.

Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

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