The Atlanta Falcons are coming off of a pathetic loss where there was little to be excited about. In the 16-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the weather was awful, the gameplan was worse, and frankly the lack of execution let to what could be considered the most pathetic loss in franchise history.
The Falcons allowed the Bucs to win without completing a pass, the first time that's been done since 1974. They ran the ball 56 times for over 320 yards (5.8 YPC) as Baker Mayfield had just three pass attempts. Running the football was the key to victory in the inclement weather in Week 8, yet Tampa Bay did a better job running the football and stopping the run.
Michael Penix Jr. had a four-interception game for the worst start of his career, and Atlanta didn't hand the ball of to Bijan Robinson nearly enough. Between the run defense and everything we saw on offense, nothing could go right, and frankly, this was a pathetic performance in basically every facet.
That means it'll be tough to evaluate how the upcoming free agents did whem nobody looked that good and when the game script was so weird. However, we're at roughly the midway point of the 206 season, and these FAs-to-be have had plenty of chances to make an impression on the new regime.
Ian Cunningham's entire mantra in his first offseason as general manager was to use the limited cap space at his disposal to sign low-stakes contracts. It was defined by cheap one-year deals and reclamation projects, and some of these players deserved to be retained and some don't.
So with the trade deadline looming and things at a low point, let's dive into who helped their chances of being retained or extended and who is on the chopping block--and could possibly be dealt-- just like with previous instances of this list.
Checking in on some key 2027 Falcons free agents entering Week 9
Jessie Bates is making a real case to stay
Right in the nick of time with the trade deadline, Jessie Bates III has been playing out of his mind after a slow start. He's been generating takeaways like nobody's business, and a large reason why is because he's one of the best in the business at the peanut punch. Against the Bucs, his punch-out of Bucky Irving on the one-yard line is one of the reasons the Dirty Birds didn't lose by more than 16.
Bates has recorded a forced fumble in each of the last three games, and is the first Falcon to do so since Jessie Tuggle in 1990. And throw in his toe-tap interception against the 49ers and scoop-and-score against the Ravens, his playmaking ability has been the defining trait for this Atlanta defense.
The 29-year-old has been out-performing Xavier Watts of late, and has probably been the most consistent performer on this team. He's come through when the Falcons have needed him both on the field and in the locker room, and he's about to cash in because of it.
We're at a point now where not only is there no chance he gets moved before the deadline unless someone makes a Godfather-esque offer Cunningham can't refuse, he's gearing up to receive a much-deserved contract extension. And it's now clear the Falcons can't let him hit free agency.
Brian Robinson Jr. didn't need to play to prove his value
The Falcons have been without Brian Robinson Jr. for the last two games due to a hamstring injury and in turn, the run game has struggled in his absence. His role as a change-of-pace back behind a struggling Bijan Robinson isn't flashy, but it is important in establishing the run game.
Robinson Jr. would have made it easier for Atlanta to run the football in the extreme conditions in Tampa Bay in Week 8, and especially would have helped them fare better on third down (where they went 0-for-12) and fourth-and-short situations, an area where the Falcons failed to excute in Week 8.
Without B-Rob Jr., the only person they have to spell Bijan is Khalil Herbert, who isn't as effective in that short-yardage role since he's smaller and a less powerful runner. And while he has a chance to return in Week 9, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and these last two games proved how important he is to this offense and helping reinforce their identity.
It's the same thing Tyler Allgeier did for this offense before he left, so his odds of staying feel stronger than ever.
Jawaan Taylor is playing his way out of Atlanta
On the exact opposite side of the spectrum is Jawaan Taylor. He got a $5 million prove-it deal from the Falcons after some struggles in Kansas City, and at first, he did an admirable job replacing Kaleb McGary and protecting Penix's blind side--but things have unraveled across the last few weeks.
Taylor has been dealing with a chronic knee injury that's only gotten worse over time, and that came to a head against the Bucs. According to Pro Football Focus, his 32.0 run blocking grade in Week 8 was the worst among all tackles and his second-worst total of the season only behind Week 1.
Frankly, both tackle spots need to be upgraded, but that's not possible with only one first-round pick. Jake Matthews has gotten better over time, but Taylor has been getting beat off the blitz and manhandled as a run blocker so it's clear we need to let him go and find a long-term option at RT.
Divine Deablo might not be a goner after all
Speaking of players who didn't play in Week 8, Divine Deablo was another one who stood to benefit. Just a week ago, his absence saw rookies Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr. impress against the 49ers and he looked more expendable than ever before--especially since he's started to regress.
However, in the rainy conditions against a run-heavy Bucs' offense, the young linebackers experienced some growing pains, as they missed a combined five tackles on the game as Tampa Bay had 10 runs go for 10+ yards.
Whenever they were late in pursuit, the Bucs recorded a chunk gain on the ground, which saw Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell gash a run defense that entered the weekend top five in defending the run.
To their credit, Daniels and Perkins were set up to fail, but it's clear they require a little more development and having another linebacker like Deablo in rotation with them would make it a bit easier on them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google