ESPN presents Falcons trade hypothetical to replace Kaleb McGary

The Falcons suddenly find themselves in a precarious spot at right tackle, the position tasked with protecting Michael Penix Jr.’s blindside.

Kaleb McGary left practice on a cart last week, and it was confirmed a few days later that he will miss significant time. Additionally, backup swing tackle Storm Norton underwent surgery on his ankle and will miss 6-8 weeks. That puts the Falcons down to their third string right tackle, which is a position no team would be comfortable with going into Week 1.

General manager Terry Fontenot will scour the waiver wire, but impact solutions are unlikely. A trade feels necessary, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated one possibility: Kansas City’s Wanya Morris in exchange for cornerback Clark Phillips.

“There aren’t many teams willing to give up right tackles with meaningful experience at this point of the offseason,” Barnwell writes. “One of the few exceptions might be Morris, who inherited Kansas City’s left tackle job by default when Kingsley Suamataia was benched early last season and did not perform well. The Chiefs eventually benched Morris and moved Joe Thuney over from left guard, which eventually proved to be part of their undoing in the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.

“With that being said, Morris is a more valuable player than it might seem. He was better at right tackle than he was at left tackle, and the 2023 third-round pick will make $2.6 million over the next two seasons. In a market in which Dan Moore and current Chiefs lineman Jaylon Moore received $15 million or more per season in free agency, Morris would have meaningful value if he were on the open market.”

For Atlanta, Morris would be a clear upgrade over current depth. The Falcons could aim higher, but that would require significant draft capital, something already in short supply after dealing away their 2026 first-rounder to land James Pearce Jr. Would Fontenot risk more future assets to address the position?

It’s possible, considering Fontenot might not be left to pick up the pieces if the Falcons do not make the playoffs this season. Not many GMs keep their jobs after missing the postseason in five consecutive seasons.

Atlanta also might not be keen on parting ways with any of their cornerbacks. Clark Phillips hasn’t done much good in his first couple of seasons, but it is another position where the Falcons are already very thin going into the season.