Atlanta Falcons: Don’t overlook 7th-round trades Terry Fontenot made

Atlanta Falcons general manager, Terry Fontenot, was a lot more active at the trade deadline than many of us expected.

He traded Deion Jones a few weeks ago and then followed it up on Tuesday by trading away Calvin Ridley. He traded away a former Pro Bowl linebacker and a former second-team All-Pro wide receiver, so they are bound to get the media attention, but you shouldn’t overlook a couple of other seemingly small trades Fontenot made.

He was essentially able to swap a backup safety for a cornerback who has a history of success.

Atlanta Falcons GM worked some overlooked magic at the trade deadline

It was first reported that the Atlanta Falcons had traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Rashad Fenton, but shortly after it was announced that they had traded away reserve safety, Dean Marlowe, back to the Buffalo Bills for a conditional seventh-round pick.

Basically, to sum it all up, the Falcons traded Dean Marlowe for Rashad Fenton, which should be considered a huge win.

Dean Marlowe was, at best, a reserve safety that was thrust into starting duties because of an injury to Jaylinn Hawkins. Marlowe did not play great at all, and he was the main reason for the game against the Panthers going to overtime as he allowed D.J. Moore to get past him for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Rashad Fenton comes to Atlanta as a cornerback who has struggled this year but has been an extremely solid corner over his prior three years.

So, Terry Fontenot flipped a backup safety for a cornerback who could be a solid player at a position that has been absolutely decimated by injuries. Anyone would take that every time, but it will be overlooked by a Calvin Ridley trade that happened prior to either of these moves.