Falcons make another smart move to fortify defense

Okudah, the No. 3 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, struggled with health early in his career, playing 10 games in two seasons. However, he showed promise during the early stretch of the 2022 season, holding receivers to under 35 yards allowed in five of his first seven games.

A decline in play over the second half of the season, however, and the offseason acquisitions of Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, made Okudah expendable for Detroit. 

Regardless, Fontenot and the Falcons are taking a swing on a high-upside athlete for low risk. 

Besides Okudah, Atlanta have added safety Jessie Bates III from the Cincinnati Bengals, signing him to a four-year, $64.02 million contract. Atlanta already has a top-tier talent in cornerback A.J. Terrell.

In free agency, Atlanta also added defensive linemen David Onyemata and Calais Campbell. They can aid the team's other defensive star, nose tackle Grady Jarrett. Campbell also brings veteran leadership, having played 15 seasons in the NFL.

Even if the Okudah trade doesn't pan out, Fontenot and Co. should be applauded for their aggressive approach to improving the defense. In 2022, the Falcons allowed the sixth-most yards, forced the sixth-fewest turnovers and allowed the 10th-most points in the NFL.