Justin SimmonsKevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The Atlanta Falcons managed to stay competitive with the defending back-to-back champions on Sunday night, but Atlanta ran out of the gas with only three points in the second half.
The Falcons defense managed to keep the Chiefs’ high-powered offense in check with Justin Simmons collecting another interception against Patrick Mahomes, but the offense couldn’t get off the ground with just 3.3 yards per carry.
The loss prevented Atlanta from evening up the early race for the NFC South lead as Tampa Bay and New Orleans also fell on Sunday.
Add Now: Trade for LB E.J. Speed, Indianapolis Colts
Nate Landman got placed on injured reserve after the season opener, leaving the Falcons thin at linebacker. Also, Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen haven’t been good enough to begin the campaign. So the front office should explore adding a second-level defender, and the Colt was ranked seventh overall on B/R’s latest NFL Trade Block Big Board column.
“Speed, who had a breakout 102-tackle campaign last season, is set to be a free agent in 2025,” B/R’s Kristopher Knox wrote. “He’s a fast, physical, do-it-all linebacker who should draw trade interest even if Indianapolis isn’t necessarily selling.
“Already this season, Speed has recorded 21 tackles and a quarterback hit. He’s also allowed an opposing passer rating of just 56.2 in coverage.”
2025 Free Agency: EDGE Darrell Taylor, Chicago Bears
Atlanta has four impending free agents at edge defender this offseason, including Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter. Even with Bralen Trice returning from injury, that will make the position a need for the club in the spring.
Taylor would be a good target since he’s been a productive pass-rusher throughout his career with 23.5 sacks in four years, including two through the first couple of weeks this season.
Granted, he’s never been much of a run defender, but that should help keep his price tag down, which is good for an organization that is currently projected to have just under $12 million of cap space available, per Over The Cap.
2025 NFL Draft: C Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Drew Dalman is an impending free agent and, as mentioned above, Terry Fontenot won’t have a ton of cap space to re-sign Dalman in the spring. Fontenot is likely doing his homework on the centers in this year’s draft class, and Brailsford should be at the top of the general manager’s list.
“While at Washington, Brailsford finished 2023 as the second-most valuable center in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric,” Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick wrote.
“His 80.7 PFF run-blocking grade was the second-best among Power Five centers, trailing only [Raiders’ second-round pick Jackson] Powers-Johnson. He’s at his best when he can utilize his elite athleticism out in space, leading all FBS centers in 2023 with a 90.7 PFF grade on zone runs.”
