The Atlanta Falcons have gotten better over the first half of the 2024 NFL season, but there’s always room for improvement. After using free agency and the draft to upgrade the quarterback position, the team has other needs that could be addressed at the trade deadline.
NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET on November 5 to complete any trade, which is plenty of time for Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot to work his magic. The team acquired Matthew Judon back in August, but another pass rusher definitely wouldn’t hurt.
Atlanta has the fewest sacks (six) of any team in the league this season. Could another big-name defender be in the cards? Here’s a look at six players the Falcons could target ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline:
1
DE Preston Smith (Packers)
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Smith is on the radar of multiple teams as the trade deadline approaches. A move would make sense if the Packers want to give their young players a shot and add some draft capital. Green Bay is in a tough division but the team is still playing good football. Smith can generate pressure consistently and has a track record of success. The 32-year-old has recorded at least eight sacks in six of his first nine NFL seasons, including each of the last three years in Green Bay. Smith has 68.5 sacks, 154 QB hits and 10 forced fumbles since 2015. The Atlanta native could be just what the Falcons need.
2
DE Maxx Crosby (Raiders)
Despite what Mark Davis told ESPN over the weekend, every player is available for the right price. It honestly doesn’t make much sense for Las Vegas to hang onto Crosby considering the current state of the franchise. The Raiders are firmly behind the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. They still appear to be a couple of years away, and if they traded Davante Adams, why keep Crosby? The veteran defensive lineman is as nasty as they come and one of the most productive players in the NFL. He has more sacks (6.5) than the Falcons do as a team this season. At 28, Crosby still has some good years left. Since entering the league in 2019, he’s racked up 58.5 sacks in 89 games.
3
DE Myles Garrett (Browns)
The big fish on the market would require the team to give up a lot, but Garrett is a once-in-a-decade type of player who could potentially put the Falcons over the top. The 28-year-old has 92.5 career sacks for the Browns. While Cleveland was considered a contender a few years ago, things have gone way off track since they traded for Deshaun Watson. Now that Watson is out for the season and the team is dead in the water at 1-6, the Falcons should at least attempt to pry away the Browns’ best player.
4
EDGE Chase Young (Saints)
While a trade with the Saints seems unlikely and Chase Young hasn’t come close to being the player he was projected to be out of Ohio State, it could be a good time to buy low on the 25-year-old. Young’s contract wouldn’t be much for the Falcons to take on and would only add $2 million to the Saints’ dead cap total while freeing up around $1.1 million. The former No. 2 overall pick has 116 tackles (77 solo), 42 QB hits, 18 sacks, six forced fumbles and nine passes defended over 50 career games. Admittedly, this move would have a little bit of a 2018 Dante Fowler vibe. However, Young has dealt with multiple injuries and played for three different teams since entering the league in 2020. For a mid-round draft pick, the young pass-rusher is worth a look.
5
WR Mike Williams (Jets)
Wide receiver isn’t a huge priority for the Falcons, but adding some depth for a potential playoff run couldn’t hurt. After being thrown under the bus by teammate Aaron Rodgers and replaced by Davante Adams, Williams’ stock is at an all-time low and he’s at least worth a look. Atlanta has some nice pieces on offense but there isn’t anyone with the kind of size behind Drake London and Kyle Pitts. When healthy, Williams is a dominant big-play threat. In Atlanta, he could be a quality fourth option and another big-bodied receiver for Kirk Cousins to throw to. The former No. 7 pick in the 2017 NFL draft has 320 catches for 4,966 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns.
6
EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah (Dolphins)
Emmanuel Ogbah wouldn’t be the kind of impact player many fans are hoping for, but he’s a veteran who’s still relatively productive at 30. This is a more realistic option for the Falcons, who won’t be the only team looking for a pass rusher at the deadline. Ogbah has two sacks this season, which is more than anyone currently on Atlanta’s roster. Trading for Ogbah could help mitigate the losses of Lorenzo Carter and rookie Bralen Trice while giving the team a little extra depth for the second half of the season.
