The Atlanta Falcons are rolling into Week 5 with momentum, and that’s now led to an unexpected name popping up in the rumor mill: Jadeveon Clowney.
Atlanta opened the season with two straight losses, but it has answered with back-to-back wins. First came a 35-14 rout of the Green Bay Packers, then a 45-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. That stretch has the Falcons feeling good as they get ready to face the Baltimore Ravens.
Against that backdrop, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox pegged Atlanta as a possible destination for the Houston Texans’ veteran defensive end.
“The Texans could still get back in the playoff mix, but they could be prompted to send Clowney to a contender for a strong return-which they should be able to get," Knox wrote. "Potential Suitors: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys.”
The fit makes sense on paper. Atlanta could use help on defense, and Clowney would bring exactly the kind of proven production teams chase at this time of year.
He’s 33, but the pass rusher is still getting to the quarterback. In two games with Houston this season, Clowney has 1.5 sacks and five combined tackles. Last year with the Dallas Cowboys, he put up 8.5 sacks and 41 combined tackles in 13 games.
That kind of resume is enough to keep a contender interested, and it makes the Falcons a logical team to watch as the trade deadline approaches. But Atlanta won’t be alone if it decides to push for him, because Clowney figures to draw plenty of attention if Houston seriously entertains offers.
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Falcons Secondary Faces An Uncomfortable Test Against Zay Flowers
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Zay Flowers is the name that jumps off the page for the Falcons, especially with Baltimore likely leaning on him as a featured option. Atlanta has been vulnerable enough already that every route concept matters, and Flowers brings the kind of speed and separation ability that can turn a routine drive into a problem in a hurry. How the Falcons handle him may say as much about this defense as anything else in the early season. [Read more 🡒]