The Colts have started tearing it down, and that kind of fire sale always sends the rest of the league sniffing around for value.
After Indianapolis fired Chris Ballard last week, interim general manager Ed Dodds moved fast. In a matter of hours, he dealt All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, then sent All-Pro interior defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the 49ers for a 2027 fourth-rounder.
Once a team starts unloading talent that quickly, everyone else starts checking the roster for pieces that fit. For the Falcons, that could mean wide receiver help.
Josh Downs stands out right away. The 25-year-old Georgia native is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and he’s grown into a reliable route runner. Landing him would likely cost Atlanta a mid-round pick in 2027.
Downs spends most of his time in the slot, which makes him a natural candidate to slide into the role Olamide Zaccheaus has occupied. That hasn’t been a major difference-maker so far, with the free-agent addition posting just four catches for 17 yards.
But a move for Downs would also crowd rookie Zachariah Branch, and the Falcons would not be the only team interested. Clubs like the Chiefs and 49ers could be in the mix as well, and Indianapolis would be looking for the best possible return.
If Atlanta wanted to go even further down the Colts roster, Keenan Allen is another name worth watching. He’s past his prime, but the 14-year veteran would still give Michael Penix Jr. a red-zone target and add a respected veteran voice to a young receiver group.
The question is whether the Falcons should actually jump in. Ian Cunningham has already shown he’s willing to deal, and he has made four trades since taking over as first-year general manager.
In the offseason, he brought in Wanya Morris from the Chiefs, Sydney Brown from the Eagles, Gervon Dexter from the Bears, and Maason Smith from the Jaguars. Those were purposeful moves, some involving players and others draft capital, and most of them filled clear needs on the roster.
Still, Atlanta is not in a spot where it needs to get reckless. The Falcons are 3-4, sitting in the middle of the NFC, and they are not being viewed as a contender this season. They also have a huge amount of cap room lined up for 2027 - $141.4 million, the most in the NFL - which means they could wait and chase players in free agency instead of giving up draft picks now.
Downs would also be due for a big extension, and with Atlanta already paying three skill players significant money, it’s hard to see them making the kind of commitment it would take to keep him long term.
So while the Colts’ sell-off could create chances, Cunningham ought to be selective. He has already proven he can strike aggressively, but in this case, patience may be the smarter move.
In Other News...
Michael Penix Is Giving Falcons Hope With One Big Test Ahead
Michael Penix Jr. has given Atlanta a reason to feel better about the quarterback position again, and the timing matters with the stretch run still offering little room for error. Kevin Stefanski praised Penixs diligent recovery from a torn ACL and pointed to the way he has settled in lately, a welcome sign for a Falcons offense that has needed stability behind center and a clearer sense of what it can be with him operating at full speed.
The challenge now is keeping that momentum when the level of resistance rises. Atlanta has seen enough of the division to know how quickly pass rushers can change a game, and YaYa Diabys recent surge for Tampa Bay is another reminder of what the Falcons will be up against in the weeks ahead. Penix has done his part to build confidence, but the next test will tell far more about where this offense really stands. [Read more 🡒]
Jessie Bates Is Closing In On Rare Falcons History
Jessie Bates III keeps finding ways to turn games in Atlantas favor, and his latest showing against the 49ers was another reminder of why he has become such a steady force on the back end. In the Falcons win, Bates recorded an interception and later forced the game-ending fumble, adding another standout performance to a season that has already put him among the leagues better safeties.
The production has been there all year, even if the recognition has not always matched it. Bates is grading out among the top safeties in Pro Football Focus this season, and his resume still includes only one Pro Bowl selection despite the kind of impact plays that can swing a game in a hurry. With the way he is stacking up those rare interception-and-fumble outings, the next milestone is now very much within reach. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Offense Forced The 49ers Into A Deadline Response
Atlantas 29-20 win over the 49ers did more than hand San Francisco its first loss of the season. It also exposed a problem that the Falcons were able to exploit throughout the afternoon, with the offense doing enough to keep the pressure on a defense that never looked fully comfortable chasing the game.
For San Francisco, the response came quickly after the final whistle, a clear sign the loss carried some urgency beyond the standings. The 49ers moved to shore up the front of their defense after a day in which the pass rush never consistently affected Michael Penix Jr., and the ripple effect of Nick Bosas absence loomed over the whole performance. [Read more 🡒]