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LATEST NEWS: The Most Shocking Thing About Falcons in 2024
Last time, we went over some players who could be dealt before the trade deadline. These were a few players who you would’ve expected to see on a list like that for the Atlanta Falcons.
This time, we are going to switch things up and look at three shocking, under-the-radar trade pieces in 2024. We are highlighting three starters who would carry a hefty price for whatever team would be interested. To start, we have the starting right tackle for the Falcons.
1. Kaleb McGary
Kaleb McGary is a huge wildcard for this new offense. On one hand, you have a player who has played great these past two years, on the other, you had a player who was in a scheme that best utilized his talents—that scheme is now 700 miles north.
We all saw the struggles he had when Matt Ryan was forced to drop back 30 to 40 times a game. While this offense will certainly be more balanced, do we trust McGary to pass block more than he had to in each of the past two seasons?
If a run-heavy team needs a right tackle, Terry Fontenot could ship the first overall pick away, even if it means starting Storm Norton for the remainder of the season.
After being selected with the fourth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Kyle Pitts had sky-high expectations. In his first year, he delivered on those expectations by nearing breaking the tight-end rookie receiving record set by Mike Ditka.
However, things took a nosedive since his phenomenal rookie campaign. In 2022, he only registered 356 receiving yards before his season-ending injury. While things were better late last season, he still never looked like his rookie self.
Much of the issues were due to extenuating circumstances but those circumstances don’t change the fact that his career in Atlanta is nearing an end if he cannot reach his potential.
Kyle Pitts has two seasons to show Atlanta he deserves another contract
Kyle Pitts has to show that he can be that fourth-overall talent he was drafted to be. The harsh reality is that he hasn’t produced these past two years and his career won’t see a second act in Atlanta if he doesn’t put everything together.
Thanks to the Falcons exercising his fifth-year option, the former Gator has two more seasons on his rookie contract. The Falcons decided to take a slight risk by picking up the option—barring a trade, they will have to pay him for a fifth season. This gives him an extra 17-plus games to prove he can be a perennial 1,000-yard receiver.
Despite this, there is a path to him packing his bags next offseason. If he does not produce, Terry Fontenot could easily put him on the trading block. Considering he is the greatest tight-end prospect ever, some team(s) would make a strong offer thinking they can extract his talents.
In other words, this is a make-or-break season for the Falcons’ top tight end, even with the fifth-year option.
The Atlanta Falcons are entering a season where they will be looking to add rather than subtract from their roster before the trade deadline.
While the NFL isn’t like the MLB where you see established stars being traded for prospects, we still occasionally see players and picks shipped off for an established star. The Falcons have some areas they must address which may require some trades.
Fortunately, they have these players who they can trade, along with picks, to help get the player they want.
1. Avery Williams
Avery Williams has had quite a ride these past two seasons. He went from being the best punt returner in the league to having a season-ending injury last year. Now, he hopes to be the primary return man for the Falcons.
However, the team has complicated things after signing Ray-Ray McCloud who has made a name for himself as a return man.
Unfortunately, Williams may be dispensable if the right situation presents itself. A team that values special teams and has an injury to their return man would have to come calling to offer enough for Terry Fontenot to trade Williams. Or they can use him to sweeten the pot to acquire a superstar.
