The trade deadline is less than a week away, and chaos is destined to ensue across the NFL. Some big names have been floated on the trade market and could get moved, but the Atlanta Falcons are in an interesting position at the deadline, as they're 3-5 and could really swing in either direction.
The Falcons have some big wins and some brutal losses, which doesn't make it easy for first-year GM Ian Cunningham to evaluate. This will mark Cunningham's first trade deadline as a general manager, which means he can either use it to make a splash and sit back while the rest of the chaos unfolds.
However, Ian Cunningham has proven to be an executive that is willing to make a deal when he sees the opportunity. But he also doesn't like to part with draft capital for no reason, and since he's already made four trades already, I can't imagine he'll want to be any more aggressive then he needs to be, but he's always one to capitalize on an opportunity.
Here's what we do know: our new GM has connections all across the league. Before joining the Falcons, he spent time in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Chicago and worked under three current general managers in Howie Roseman of the Eagles, Eric DeCosta of the Ravens, and Ryan Poles of the Bears--and he's already made trades with two of them.
If Cunningham wants to complete the trifecta, it would be with DeCosta and the Ravens, who he spent eight years working alongside. So they have history, and if he wants to put their relationship to work, here are three trades the Falcons can make with the 4-4 Ravens before the trade deadline.
3 trades Falcons GM Ian Cunningham could make with his old friend Eric DeCosta
1: Trading QB Tua Tagovailoa
The Dirty Birds are currently in a position where they have no use for Tua Tagovailoa. Even after a brutal performance in Tampa, Michael Penix Jr. will remain the starter for the rest of the season as long as he's healthy, which means that they have Tagovailoa just rotting on the bench as a backup.
The Falcons signed Andy Dalton a few weeks back largely due a lack of faith in Tua to back Penix up, and trade rumors have surfaced that he could be expendable. Presumably, the guy wants to play, and the Ravens give him a much better chance to do that now that their QB room is down to shreds.
With Lamar Jackson out for the season due to a thumb injury and Tyler Huntley dealing with turf toe, Baltimore's QB room consists of undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, Austin Reed, and Kedon Slovis, and none of those options inspire any confidence, so why not add a seasoned veteran in Tagovailoa.
It might be a literal war crime to put Tua Tagovailoa behind this Ravens' offensive line, but you can't deny he'd be better than what they currently have under center--and the Falcons don't need him.
2. Acquiring WR Rashod Bateman
There isn't a lot of players I can envision the Falcons bringing in from Baltimore, but one of the only ones is Rahod Bateman. Atlanta had success with one former first-round pick in Jahan Dotson, so why not bring in a second? He would offer some wide receiver depth this team badly needs.
Dotson and Drake London being the only outside wideouts this team has will not cut it, and having Bateman and Dot as the outside options/deep threats would make it easier to move London around the formation. If they do this, they could keep him in the slot more while Zachariah Branch is sidelined.
The Ravens have younger wideouts such as Ja'Kobi Lane, Elijah Sarratt, and Devontez Walker and Bateman's presence is getting in the way of their development. His departure would open up more snaps for them behind Zay Flowers and give Michael Penix Jr. another reliable downfield option.
The 26-year-old has needed a scenery change for quite some time, and given he has a very tradeable contract (the Falcons would be taking on just $1.11 million in dead cap), it's worth a shot.
3. Trading CB Mike Hughes
The Ravens are near the bottom of the NFL in passing yards per game allowed, so it's pretty clear they could use some help in the secondary. Marlon Humphrey looks absolutely cooked, so they could afford to bring in some extra depth on the back-end and make life a little bit easier on Nate Wiggins.
Fortunately, the Falcons have depth at cornerback they could trade. Either C.J. Henderson or Mike Hughes could be available, and I think Hughes is more likely to get moved. He can play inside and out, and while he's bad in coverage, at least he makes up for it by being a good tackler and run defender.
The former first-round pick has no long-term future in Atlanta, as Billy Bowman Jr. will start in the slot with the Terrell brothers (plus Henderson) on the outside. But in Baltimore he'd have a chance to contribute for a more talented defense that could have more use for his versatility.
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