It’s hard to believe the Atlanta Falcons have their first preseason game in less than a week. The team will soon head to Miami for a pair of joint practices with the Dolphins ahead of their matchup on Friday, August 9. While these games won’t affect the upcoming season, teams use them to evaluate the depth at each position.
The Falcons are clearly in win-now mode and could look to make a move if the front office feels it will improve the roster in 2024. There’s a certain amount of risk whenever you make a trade. Keeping that in mind, we’ve identified three possible trade candidates for Atlanta, examining the positives and negatives of each below.
1). LB Troy Andersen
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
- Why a trade makes sense: Since the Falcons have two starting-caliber inside linebackers in Nate Landman and Kaden Elliss, trading Andersen would allow them to address one of their other roster needs. “He’s a starting linebacker in the national football league,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said about Andersen. “The thing is, we just happen to have three of them.”
- Why a trade doesn’t make sense: The Falcons are unlikely to get anything valuable in return for Andersen and there’s no sense in giving him away. Atlanta used a second-round pick on the athletic Montana State linebacker just two years ago, so it’s somewhat early to give up on him without a favorable return. Perhaps Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake will find a way to utilize all three linebackers this season in Atlanta.
2). QB Taylor Heinicke
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
- Why a trade makes sense: Heinicke has starting experience and an extremely affordable contract for a quality backup QB. With Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. and Nathan Rourke, Heinicke has little chance to play this season, barring injury. Penix may not be the guy yet, but you have to imagine he will at least be QB2 by the time Week 1 rolls around.
- Why a trade doesn’t make sense: First off, Heinicke recently took a pay cut to remain in Atlanta. If that’s not enough to convince you, considering he’s still a quality backup and locker room presence, the Falcons could benefit from keeping Heinicke around to help develop Penix. Plus, with the NFL’s emergency third QB rule, it makes sense to have three capable quarterbacks on the roster.
3). CB A.J. Terrell
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
- Why a trade makes sense: Terrell is entering the final year of his deal and he’s…
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