The NFL trade deadline is almost here, and Atlanta is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing teams to watch. This is Ian Cunningham’s first deadline as a general manager, and given his reputation for making deals, the Falcons could still swing for help if the right move comes along.
That possibility matters because Atlanta is coming off a rough one. The Falcons were beaten 34-17 by the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid yesterday morning, dropping them to 3-6 and leaving them with four losses in their last five games.
On the surface, that kind of slide usually points toward selling. But the NFC South is weak enough that Atlanta still has a path to climb back into the picture.
The problem is that the Falcons do not have many obvious pieces to shop. Unless another team is calling about players such as Tua Tagovailoa and Mike Hughes, there is not much here to move out for future value. That makes the more realistic conversation about who Atlanta could bring in if Cunningham decides to be aggressive.
One possible answer is Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman. Baltimore is 4-5, and with both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley out for the season, the Ravens could look to move veterans at the deadline. Bateman does not appear to be locked into their long-term plans after the team selected Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Saratt in the 2026 NFL Draft.
For Atlanta, the fit is easy to see. The Falcons could use more receiver help on the outside, and they already have one example of a former first-round pick getting a reset in Jahan Dotson.
Bateman would give Michael Penix Jr. another downfield option and allow Drake London to move around the formation more. He is averaging nearly 15 yards per catch this season and is only two years removed from a 756-yard, nine-touchdown year.
If Cunningham got him from his old friend and colleague Eric DeCosta, Atlanta would only take on $1 million in dead cap this year, while Bateman would remain under contract through 2029.
Another name worth watching is New York Jets EDGE Will McDonald IV. Even with James Pearce Jr. back, the Falcons could still use more help off the edge. Jeff Ulbrich’s defense has been near the top of the league in pressure rate, but the recent dip is real, with a 23.9% pressure rate over the last three games ranking 26th in the NFL.
McDonald has ties to Ulbrich, who coached him for the first two years of his career with the Jets and helped guide him to a 10.5-sack season in 2024, followed by another eight sacks last year. He is in a contract year, and with the Jets likely to sell, he could be available. The question is whether Atlanta would want to pay more than a Day 3 pick for a player who may or may not be a clear upgrade to the current EDGE group.
Then there is the possibility of a reunion with Calvin Ridley. The circumstances of his split from the Falcons were ugly, but he could certainly use a fresh start. Ridley has gone over 1,000 yards in both 2023 and 2024, yet this season he has only six catches for 91 yards.
Tennessee looks like a team focused on younger receivers such as Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and Carnell Tate as it works through a rebuild, which makes Ridley expendable. He is still averaging 15.2 yards per reception, so the deep threat remains, even if the cap hit is a major obstacle. If the Titans were willing to absorb some of the money, Atlanta could make a cheap swing on the 31-year-old.
If the Falcons want the biggest upgrade, though, offensive tackle may be the clearest place to look. Jake Matthews is regressing in real time, and Jawaan Taylor is clearly only a one-year rental, so Atlanta needs to think about the future there. That is why Indianapolis Colts OT Bernhard Raimann stands out.
The Colts have already moved Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, and with Chris Ballard gone after signing Raimann to a $100 million extension, the sense is that everyone is available at the right price. Raimann has been excellent by the numbers, with a 76.5 PFF grade and a 78.2 pass-blocking grade, both 14th among offensive tackles.
He has allowed just one sack and committed only one penalty all season. At 29, he could be a long-term answer at left tackle, though he would not come cheap for a team that is not expected to contend this year.
Atlanta’s other obvious need is at cornerback, and Los Angeles Chargers CB Donte Jackson fits that lane. The Falcons have depth, but the long-term picture is messy.
A.J. Terrell has not been the same player, Mike Hughes could be moved, and C.J.
Henderson is set to hit free agency after the season.
Billy Bowman Jr. and Avieon Terrell are the only clear long-term pieces in the room, so if Hughes gets dealt, the need gets even sharper. Jackson is a free agent after the season, and the 31-year-old still brings 4.32 speed to the table.
He also has 110 career starts, which gives him the kind of experience Atlanta could use. With the winless Chargers likely to consider moving him, Jackson looks like a logical target if the Falcons want to shore up the secondary.
In Other News...
Falcons Just Moved A Defensive Star And Fans Know What It Means
The Falcons have made another major move in the secondary, sending Jessie Bates III to Jacksonville in a deal that brings back a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder. Bates arrived in Atlanta on a four-year deal in 2023 and quickly became one of the teams most dependable defenders, piling up 392 tackles and 14 interceptions across 60 games while giving the back end a veteran presence.
For Atlanta, the trade signals a clear shift in direction, moving on from a player who had been central to the defense for two seasons. Bates lands with a Jaguars team sitting in first place and looking for help in the secondary as it pushes toward the playoffs, while the Falcons now have a future draft haul to work with and a notable hole to fill on defense. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Just Sent A Confusing Message About Their Season
The Falcons made a move that naturally raised eyebrows around the league, dealing safety Jessie Bates to the Jaguars even as the season is still in full swing. For a team trying to balance present-day relevance with longer-term planning, moving a veteran defensive piece like that can look like a signal that the front office is already thinking ahead.
Kevin Stefanski tried to smooth out the message afterward, saying Atlanta is building for the future while still viewing itself as a live team in the NFC South. The trade may have hinted at a shift in priorities, but the coach insisted the Falcons are not punting on the current season, leaving the bigger question of how aggressively they plan to chase both timelines at once. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Quarterback Pressure Just Got Worse After Shannon Sharpes Criticism
Michael Penix Jr. is already under a brighter spotlight in Atlanta after another uneven outing, and the noise around him only picked up after the Falcons loss to Cincinnati. Penix finished 20 of 31 for 162 yards with a touchdown and an interception, numbers that reflect a quarterback still trying to settle in while the team continues to search for consistency around him.
The Falcons 3-6 record has left little room for patience, and Penixs growing pains have become part of a broader conversation about where Atlanta goes next. His struggles have been real, but so have the defensive lapses and penalties that helped sink the game, leaving the Falcons with more questions than answers as the pressure on their young quarterback keeps building. [Read more 🡒]