What will the Falcons do at the NFL trade deadline?

The NFL trade deadline is a little over a week away, and the Falcons are a sneaky team to watch, as both potential buyers and sellers.

On the selling side, Atlanta could look to flip some of its expiring contracts for extra draft capital, such as Arnold Ebiketie. A Kirk Cousins trade has also lingered in discussion for what feels like forever, and this week could serve as an audition of sorts for the veteran quarterback. With Michael Penix Jr. currently questionable for Sunday, a favorable matchup against a soft Dolphins defense could catch the eyes of general managers around the league.

However, the more intriguing storyline lies on the buying side. For the first time in what feels like ages, the Falcons can legitimately justify being buyers. They have a roster built to contend right now, along with future cap flexibility thanks to Kirk Cousins’ contract largely coming off the books in 2026. Any potential target who fills a need and can help both now and down the road has to be considered, and there are plenty of areas that could use attention.

Wide receiver, somewhat surprisingly, has become a significant need as the season has unfolded. Darnell Mooney has battled injuries and struggled to find rhythm, while Ray-Ray McCloud — once expected to be the team’s third receiver — was phased out of the offense and eventually released. Adding another weapon could go a long way toward opening up the offense for Michael Penix Jr.

Staying on that side of the ball, the Falcons could also look to upgrade at right tackle. Although, with Storm Norton’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve officially open, that move feels less urgent than it did a few days ago.

Defensively, the Falcons could use help at all three levels, even though the unit has been one of the better ones in football. The defensive line could benefit from a massive nose tackle to plug running lanes, and more pass rushers are always welcome, especially if Atlanta decides to move on from Ebiketie. The linebacker corps looked solid before last week, but with Divine Deablo going down with a significant injury, adding a veteran with starting experience seems wise unless Troy Andersen is nearing a return. The cornerback room could also use more depth, even if that group has exceeded expectations so far.

The question now becomes: will the Falcons be aggressive in addressing these needs?

On one hand, Atlanta already dealt next year’s first-round pick in the trade for James Pearce Jr., and sacrificing even more draft capital could harm the team’s long-term outlook. On the other hand, if the Falcons fall short of the postseason, Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot might not be around to see that future — which could tempt them to embrace the classic “F— them picks” strategy.