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This page lists all the 2024 Trades for the Atlanta Falcons. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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- Total Trades: 3
- Average Grade: B+ (88)
August 2024 – Trades and Signings
Chargers acquire QB Taylor Heinicke from Falcons for conditional 6th-round pick
The Chargers received some bad news several weeks ago when they learned that Justin Herbert suffered a plantar fascia injury. Herbert could play in Week 1, but medical experts have cited that Herbert is likely to be hindered by this issue throughout the season. Given that, finding a better backup quarterback than Easton Stick was essential.
Taylor Heinicke flopped as a starter in the NFL, but he has proven to be a quality reserve. He’s certainly an upgrade over Stick, and the Chargers aren’t surrendering much for him.
As for the Falcons, it’s nice that they’re getting something for Heinicke because they had no more use for him. Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. are atop the depth chart, so Heinicke would have just rotted away as the third quarterback.
Grade for Chargers – B
Grade for Falcons – B+
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Falcons acquire DE Matthew Judon from Patriots for 2025 3rd-round pick
The Falcons were heavily criticized for their No. 8 overall pick. They could have selected a talented pass rusher like Laiatu Latu, but instead drafted a quarterback for the future when they gave $100 million to Kirk Cousins two months earlier. They tried to make up for it with a third-round choice used on Bralen Trice, but Trice was recently ruled out for the year.
Atlanta had to do something about its poor pass rush, so it used a third-rounder this year to acquire Matthew Judon. This is a terrific trade for the Falcons, as it’ll give them a great presence on the edge to help them combat Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, and Brock Purdy. The one downside here is that Judon is 31, but given that the Falcons are in win-now mode, obtaining him makes a lot of sense.
This is a logical trade for the Patriots as well. They’re not ready to win now, so it makes sense for them to deal Judon in order to acquire more pieces for the future. Given that they didn’t have much leverage, a third-round pick for Judon is fair value.
Grade for Falcons – A-
Grade for Patriots – B+
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March 2024 – Trades and Signings
Cardinals acquire QB Desmond Ridder from Falcons for WR Rondale Moore
It’s hard to believe, but the Desmond Ridder era has finally come to an end in Atlanta. I’m sure Falcons fans will fondly remember the days when Ridder would constantly fumble into the end zone.
Ridder was woeful last year. He’ll obviously make for a better backup, but I’m not even sure he can be an average backup. Perhaps the Cardinals believe they can develop him into being a solid No. 2 option behind Kyler Murray, but Arizona can’t count on winning many games if/when Murray gets hurt.
The Cardinals, however, didn’t give up much, surrendering only Rondale Moore. The 24-year-old receiver has seen his receptions drop in each of the past three seasons, as he’s looking more and more like a second-round bust. However, the Falcons have a promising offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson, so perhaps Robinson can figure out a way to utilize Moore. I think Atlanta has more upside in this trade, but this is a swap that could very easily become insignificant for both parties.
Grade for Cardinals – B-
Grade for Falcons – B+
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
