With the news that Colts running back Marlon Mack and the team have agreed to mutually seek a trade, TheDraftNetwork thinks the Falcons make sense as trade partners.
While also listing the 49ers and Chiefs, Justin Melo lays out his rationale for Atlanta:
Atlanta should absolutely be looking for help at the running back position. The Falcons escaped with a 17-14 win in New York in Week 3, but can’t keep relying on the likes of Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield.
Davis was signed to serve as the team’s lead back but has failed to impress in that role through three weeks. Davis has yet to top 50 rushing yards in a single game this season and has had little impact in the passing game, where he’s averaging a measly 4.9 yards per reception.
A trade to the Falcons shouldn’t be ruled out as Atlanta attempts to sort through the future of their running game. Mack is on an expiring contract, but auditioning the former South Florida standout for the remainder of 2021 would make sense as Arthur Smith attempts to produce a more successful ground attack in Atlanta.
Personally, I disagree. I think Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson are two of the better players on the offense, and with Mack being on an expiring contract, it makes me apprehensive to give up draft capital for him with the team being 32nd in Offensive DVOA. You could argue that Mack would help out that DVOA, but he’s coming off of a torn achilles and has only carried the ball five times for 16 yards in 2021. I think the risk is too great, and if the cost is a fifth round pick (or the fifth round pick the Falcons got in a Julio Jones trade), I would balk if I was the Falcons.
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