ESPN names former Falcons second-round pick a potential trade candidate

With playoffs on the minds of the people in Flowery Branch, the Falcons should be buyers ahead of the trade deadline, in search of wide receivers, linebackers, pass rushers, and offensive lineman. However, there is a chance that they are a bit of both, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN points out, shedding players on expiring contracts that might not have a future with the organization.

One name Fowler mentions is former second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie, who is on the final year of his rookie contract.

The buzz: Ebiketie has had trade interest dating back to the offseason. The 2022 second-round pick is on an expiring contract, and rookies James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker are a big part of Atlanta’s future at edge rusher. The Falcons don’t necessarily want to trade Ebiketie but typically at least listen to offers when presented. — Fowler

The Falcons defense has been the story of the entire season thus far, going from one of the worst units in football to one of the best. A primary reason for that has been the pass rush, which has been completely revamped in one offseason due to several additions and a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Ulbrich.

Ebiketie has been a part of that, but it’s fair to say he hasn’t quite developed like the Falcons initially hoped when they traded up to draft him in the second round. He has zero sacks this year and only has 14.5 over 56 games in his career.

The Falcons still shouldn’t be in the camp of actively weakening their pass rush, but if they feel like they could use that extra draft capital to land a player that could help them in the future, there are scenarios where it might make sense.

Additionally, Fowler listed Kirk Cousins as a potential trade candidate ahead of the trade deadline, a scenario that could become even more interesting if Cousins is forced to start this Sunday against the Dolphins and has a big game.

The buzz: Like with Wilson, Cousins would need injuries at the quarterback position to spark a market. He is 37, and he struggled with interceptions last season (16), but Cousins could help a team in a bind. Wilson has a more team-friendly contract than that of Cousins, whose $10 million guarantee in 2026 is a hurdle. Carson Wentz’s Week 7 struggles with the Vikings make a Cousins reunion in Minneapolis a convenient talking point for fans and media, even with J.J. McCarthy soon returning from an ankle injury.

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