The Atlanta Falcons are navigating an intriguing offseason under the guidance of new GM Ian Cunningham, with a keen eye on boosting their draft capital. However, there's a line between strategic planning and reckless decisions, and trading A.J. Terrell would undoubtedly cross it.
Jessie Bates has been floated as a potential trade candidate, a move that could make sense given the recent acquisition of Sydney Brown. But when it comes to Terrell, the Falcons should hold firm. The idea of trading a cornerstone like Terrell for additional draft picks doesn’t align with the team’s needs, especially considering the current state of their secondary.
Pro Football Focus' John Kosko recently stirred the pot by naming Terrell as Atlanta's prime trade asset for the 2026 NFL Draft. While the 48th pick offers some flexibility, the notion of dealing Terrell seems misguided. The Falcons have little incentive to part ways with an All-Pro cornerback, particularly when a trade down from 48 could achieve similar draft goals without sacrificing key talent.
Let’s break down the Falcons' cornerback situation if Terrell were to be traded. The lineup would feature Mike Hughes, Billy Bowman Jr., Darnay Holmes, Natrone Brooks, Cobee Bryant, C.J.
Henderson, and the injury-prone Clark Phillips. This group lacks the depth and reliability needed to compete against top NFL wideouts, and the offseason hasn’t brought much reinforcement in this area.
Terrell's perceived struggles in 2025 can be attributed to a lack of support in the secondary, not a decline in his own abilities. Despite battling injuries, he still managed 12 pass breakups and anchored a defense that ranked among the league's best for much of the season. The Falcons even restructured his contract, signaling their commitment to him moving forward.
While Terrell may not have reached the heights of his peak seasons, he remains a top-tier cornerback. Draft picks are valuable, but they’re also gambles.
Cunningham’s ambition to accumulate draft capital is understandable, yet trading Terrell would be a gamble too far. The Falcons need stability and leadership in their secondary, and Terrell provides just that.