With the NFL trade deadline closing in, the Falcons are in a spot that invites big swings. They’re only a half-game behind the NFC South lead, and even at 3-5, they’re positioned better than most teams to go shopping. Ian Cunningham’s first deadline as general manager comes with serious flexibility: Atlanta has seven draft picks in 2027 and leads the NFL with more than $143 million in 2027 cap space.
That kind of setup naturally brings speculation about splashy names, and one of the loudest has been Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. ESPN’s Dan Graziano mentioned Pickens as a possible trade candidate, noting that teams are watching Dallas closely if the Cowboys drop another game and fall to 3-6.
“Staying in the NFC East, teams are wondering if the Cowboys would consider trading WR George Pickens if they suffer another loss this week and fall to 3-6,” Graziano wrote. “I do not get the sense that would consider such a move, but if it isn’t planning to sign to an extension next offseason, it would make sense to at least take the call.”
Even with that chatter, the idea of Atlanta actually making the move feels far-fetched. The Falcons could have explored Pickens during the offseason when his situation was already public and messy, but they didn’t. And after handing Drake London a $141 million extension, adding another receiver who will want top-tier money doesn’t line up cleanly.
It’s also a question of team-building. Atlanta is still trying to figure out whether Michael Penix Jr. is its franchise quarterback, so pouring more resources into a receiver room would be a luxury, not a necessity. Pickens would certainly be an appealing target for a quarterback who likes to attack downfield, but this would be a premium addition for a roster that still has bigger issues to solve.
There’s also the baggage. Pickens, 25, knows Mercedes-Benz Stadium from his college days at Georgia, but his reputation has come with character and attitude concerns, especially when he isn’t getting the ball. That’s the kind of drama this front office should be wary of inviting in.
The Falcons do need more help at receiver, but a headline-grabbing move for Pickens wouldn’t patch every hole. Jahan Dotson has already outperformed expectations as the WR2, which makes a smaller addition at the position more believable - someone in the WR3 range like Kayshon Boutte or Jerry Jeudy.
And if Dallas somehow did decide to move Pickens, it wouldn’t come cheap. A first- or second-round pick would likely be the starting point, and that’s a steep price for a team that wouldn’t be in the playoffs if the season ended today. That risk looks even bigger for Atlanta, especially with Ian Cunningham still waiting to make his first first-round pick.
In Other News...
Falcons Suddenly Have A Week 9 Depth Chart Problem In Madrid
The Falcons trip to Madrid has already brought a little roster churn, with the team moving edge rushers Drake Jackson and Jared Ivey off the 53-man roster and onto the practice squad ahead of Week 9 against the Bengals. It is the kind of adjustment that usually signals a team trying to keep its depth intact for the long haul, but in this case it also reflects a defense that is suddenly juggling availability at a key spot.
Samson Ebukam has landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, while James Pearce Jr. is back from suspension but still listed as questionable because of a back issue. On the other side of the ball, the Falcons will be without wide receiver Zachariah Branch and running back Brian Robinson Jr., leaving Olamide Zaccheaus and Khalil Herbert in line for bigger roles as Atlanta tries to sort out a thin depth chart in an unusual setting. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Backfield Takes A Hit Right Before Bengals Matchup
The Falcons backfield depth took a hit just as they turn the page toward a Week 9 meeting with the Bengals in Spain. Brian Robinson Jr. has been placed on injured reserve because of a lower-body injury, leaving Atlanta to navigate at least the next four weeks without one of its running backs as the team prepares for the second regular-season NFL game ever played in Spain.
Atlanta moved quickly to fill the spot, signing Khalil Herbert from the practice squad to give the roster another option behind the remaining backs. It is the kind of adjustment that can matter even more on a trip like this, where the Falcons are already dealing with the usual travel and preparation challenges before facing Cincinnati on an international stage. [Read more 🡒]
Drake London Adds To Falcons Frustration After Costly Tampa Mistake
The Falcons are trying to move past a frustrating shutout against Tampa Bay, but Drake Londons day against the Buccaneers still carried an extra sting. London finished with one catch for 8 yards in the 16-0 loss, a quiet outing in a game Atlanta could ill afford to waste as it continued searching for answers on offense.
Now the focus shifts to Madrid, where the Falcons are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals, and London has already pointed to the teams work to clean things up after the defeat. Even with the next trip on the schedule, the aftermath from Tampa lingers a little longer thanks to the leagues latest discipline, another reminder of how costly that afternoon was for Atlanta. [Read more 🡒]