Falcons Receive: Edge Haason Reddick, 2023 Third-Round Pick

Jets Receive: CB A.J. Terrell

The Atlanta Falcons hope that this offseason’s move to add Kirk Cousins opens up a lengthy playoff window. Cousins will upgrade the team’s quarterback position in the immediate future, while rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. will eventually take over.

While it’s a sound succession plan, the Falcons’ move to draft Penix cost them a chance at one of the draft’s top edge rushers. That’s problematic because fielding a quality pass rush has been a long-standing issue in Atlanta.

The Falcons lost top 2023 sack-producers Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree in free agency this offseason.

Opting for the younger Reddick could make the most sense for the Falcons, while Atlanta could offer the Jets a player who can help them win right away. Cornerback A.J. Terrell is a reliable starter, even if his efficiency has dipped over the past few seasons.

In 2021, Terrell was among the league’s best corners, allowing an opposing passer rating of only 61.0 in coverage. However, he’s allowed an opposing passer rating above 93 in each of the past two seasons.

Terrell is also entering the final year of his rookie contract, and extending him before next offseason could be difficult. The Falcons have less than $1 million in effective cap space.

Now, restructuring Terrell’s contract with an extension could make it doable and might make more sense than swapping one impending contract for another. However, Reddick would finally give the Falcons the standout pass-rusher they’ve lacked.

And the Falcons could probably get some quality draft compensation to boot, given the league-wide value of starting-caliber cornerbacks. The Jets, meanwhile, would get a quality corner to pair with Sauce Gardner, and in their defense, may see Terrell return to his 2021 form.