NFL Analysis Network

This Falcons-Broncos Trade Sends Courtland Sutton To Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the busier teams in the NFL thus far this offseason. They got things started when they agreed to a five-year extension with left guard Chris Lindstrom. Before the legal tampering period began, the team also acquired tight end Jonnu Smith from the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round pick.

In the early part of the legal tampering period, Atlanta focused on upgrading their defense. They raided their NFC South rivals, the New Orleans Saints, signing defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss to three-year deals. Their biggest splash was signing safety Jessie Bates III away from the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-year, $64 million deal.

Atlanta also committed to Desmond Ridder as their starter, signing veteran Taylor Heinicke to be his backup. Ridder played well in the last four games of the season after replacing Marcus Mariota and deserves a shot at being the starter.

His performance should improve with tight end Kyle Pitts healthy and back in the lineup. Drake London had a strong rookie season as well, catching 72 passes for 866 yards and four touchdowns. Alas, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to add another weapon to the mix.

The second leading receiver behind London in receptions and yardage was Olamide Zaccheus, who caught 40 passes for 533 yards and three touchdowns. Finding an upgrade on the perimeter would help Ridder elevate his game to that next level.

One potential target suggested for the Falcons by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report is Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos. While the odds of Sutton being traded are low, Matthew Berry of NBC Sports Edge has reported that the Broncos are quietly shopping Sutton.

Denver would save $6.8 million by moving Sutton, no small number for a team that was projected to have only $9.7 million in cap space available. But, the team would have to weigh if trading one of their best offensive players is worth it, especially with optimism that Sean Payton can get things back on track after the Nathaniel Hackett disaster.

Sutton would be a huge upgrade for the Falcons’ passing attack, giving Ridder three excellent weapons to target in the passing game. It won’t be cheap to acquire him, as the Broncos aren’t going to give him away for free and he has a $14 million base salary.

That will limit his market as not many teams can absorb that while stomaching the inclusion of draft capital. With that in mind, the Falcons can offer the No. 75 and No. 224 overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for him.

Currently with zero selections in the first two rounds because of trades to acquire Payton and Russell Wilson, the Broncos would think long and hard about parting ways with Sutton for a Day 2 pick. If Denver is willing to cover some of the expenses, they could push for the Falcons’ second-round pick, No. 44 overall, to be included instead.

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