Prior to the Falcons’ Week 6 matchup against the Bengals, I didn’t think Atlanta would be active before the NFL trade deadline. The team probably doesn’t want to give up any draft assets, regardless of the successful start to the season.
We are still in the infant stages of this rebuild; it might be ahead of schedule to this point, but the roster isn’t in a position to compete in January. So giving away draft picks would be asinine. Coaching is making the most significant difference right now; the personnel is still bottom of the barrel. However, circumstances may force Terry Fontenot’s hand.
The Falcons came into Sunday’s matchup in Cincinnati shorthanded in the secondary. The team placed Casey Hayward on the injured reserve following the victory over the 49ers. And shortly after the opening whistle, AJ Terrell went down, reinjuring the hamstring that he tweaked against the Niners. The Bengals took full advantage. Joe Burrow threw for 481 yards and three touchdowns on 81% passing. It was a slaughter.
Without their top two corners and a couple of depth pieces banged up, the Falcons could look to trade for a corner because they can’t trot out Cornell Armstrong out there. I honestly don’t think it’ll happen, but if the injuries to Terrell, Hayward, and Dee Alford are long-term, the Falcons might not have a choice.
Rashad Fenton, Kansas City Chiefs
I doubt the Chiefs will trade any of their players, but Fenton is in the final year of his rookie deal and has struggled this season. Kansas City drafted Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, and Jaylen Watson this offseason, so I doubt they will re-sign Fenton following the season. It is possible they could be interested in moving him instead of losing him in free agency this spring for nothing.
Bryce Hall, New York Jets
Bryce Hall started all 17 games last season but has been a healthy scratch for most of the season thus far. That’s not to say Hall can’t play. New York just has a lot of depth at the corner position. Last season, Hall had 16 pass deflections and forced 17 incompletions. He could improve the Falcons depth at the position.
Sidney Jones, Seattle Seahawks
Jones is a former second-round pick and could be looking for a new home. After earning the starting spot this offseason for Seattle, Jones suffered a concussion, and Michael Jackson took the job and never gave it back. Seattle clearly sees Jones as a starting-caliber cornerback, which is why he’s still been rotating in on defense. Tariq Woolen, Mike Jackson and Coby Bryant are a solid group, and Jones likely wants more playing time. Atlanta could really use him.
William Jackson, Washington Commanders
Jackson signed a three-year, $40.5 million contract in 2021 but has struggled since joining Washington. He was even benched in Week 5. The Falcons would like to play man coverage but don’t have the personnel for it. Jackson thrives in that kind of scheme. NFL Network reported he wants out of Washington, but he’s denied such rumors. Still, it doesn’t look like a great situation in Washington, and a change of scenery could work wonders for Jackson.
—
You must log in to post a comment.