Atlanta Falcons whiffed big by not trading for Jadaveon Clowney

It’s rare that a team has an opportunity to add an impact player to their team and the Atlanta Falcons have missed that opportunity by not going after Jadaveon Clowney.

Earlier today, Houston Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, a team that the Falcons will see at least once in 2019 and could very well face again in the playoffs. In this case, this is a lose-lose situation.

There has been plenty of talk about the future of Vic Beasley in a Falcon uniform with his recent play and the known dissatisfaction among Falcons fans. Why not get rid of a player you’re not too sure about committing to long term and add a player that could only make your defense better?

Adding Clowney would have worked wonders for a up and coming defense and one of the deepest defensive lines in football. Having Clowney on one edge and Tak McKinley on the other would have struck fear in opposing offenses.

Not only would the addition of Clowney helped the defense, it also would have help the team move some players that weren’t going to get any playing time anyways.

The Houston Texans are already down a running since Lamar Miller tote his ACL in the preseason and there is no doubt they would have like to add another inning back to the fold to help their situation.

The next question would be who would the Falcons trade to get Clowney? The Seahawks gave up a 3rd round pick, DE Jacob Martin, and OLB Barkevious Mingo.

The Falcons could have made this trade by offering Vic Beasley, anyone of our running backs besides Devonta Freeman and their own third round pick. The kicker in all of this, Clowney cannot sign a long term extension until after the season, so if he does not want to stay in Seattle and he leaves in free agency, the Seahawks will get back that pick as compensation from the NFL.

Even as a one year rental, Clowney would have made the Falcons defense elite and put them at the top of contenders list.

By not making this trade, it didn’t set the Falcons back at all, but there is no doubt adding Clowney to the Falcons would have done some wonders for the defense and their goal of reaching and winning the Super Bowl.