The Atlanta Falcons started the 2021 NFL season with two straight losses, but the team has now dragged itself back to .500 after two shootouts against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins (with a bye week sandwiched in between).
As always, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is producing steady, stellar numbers in what has become a year-in, year-out habit for the 14-year veteran.
While Atlanta’s defense is atrocious – just look at the team’s first two losses of the season, a 32-6 pasting by the Philadelphia Eagles and then a 48-25 massacre at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – the team’s offense clearly still has enough juice in it to possibly make a run at a Wild Card berth this year.
With Ryan chugging along with his consistent play, No. 4 overall pick Kyle Pitts looking like a wunderkind, and Cordarrelle Patterson now a touchdown machine, the Falcons should look to add more pieces on offense before the NFL trade deadline – as the only way they’re winning games this year is through high-scoring shootouts.
If the Falcons front office wants to try for a Wild Card spot, keep an eye out for these two best trades that the Falcons could make before the 2021 NFL Trade Deadline.
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Two Falcons targets ahead of NFL trade deadline
Chris Conley – Houston Texans WR
The Houston Texans are going nowhere fast, so it makes sense for them to pivot to selling at the trade deadline to see what sort of draft capital they can get going forward.
One name that the Falcons should definitely target is wide receiver Chris Conley. The former Georgia Bulldog would surely be a better lower-string option at wide receiver than Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe, or Christian Blake, as he has produced passable numbers throughout his seven-year career.
While not a game-changing addition, Conley is only two seasons removed from his best-ever season, which occurred as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars when he caught 47 passes for 775 yards and five touchdowns – appearing in all 16 regular season games for the Jags (including 14 starts).
Though his touches are rare for Houston, Conley did fire off a three-catch, 84-yard game with a TD in a Week 5 loss against the Patriots. The 29-year-old is also on a reasonable deal and would likely be happy to return to where his college alma mater was located.
James Washington – Steelers WR
While a young player like N’Keal Harry (who is clearly not going to play much for the Patriots this year), might also make for a nice upside play, if the Falcons can pry away receiver James Washington from the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’d be in good shape in terms of depth at wide receiver.
Though Washington only started seven games last season, he did accrue a career-high five touchdowns.
With Ben Roethlisberger clearly on his way out after a long and storied Steelers career, the team will likely be looking to unload anyone they can get any value for. Washington, who is still only 25, would provide the Falcons another stable veteran target for Matt Ryan – who will likely be the main reason for the Falcons’ success in the 2021 season.
While neither of these names will likely make Falcons fans jump up in excitement, they are steady, capable players that would certainly be upgrades over the lower-string receivers on the rosters if the Falcons want to attempt a Wild Card berth.
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