The Falcons should consider trading for a big-name Georgia product who might be available, strengthening their roster significantly.

In the NFL, teams are always looking for ways to improve their roster, whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or trades. For the Atlanta Falcons, one area where they could make a significant leap forward is in acquiring a proven talent from the University of Georgia, a powerhouse program that has produced numerous NFL stars. The Falcons, who have been in the process of rebuilding their roster and re-establishing a competitive team, could greatly benefit from the addition of a big-name Georgia product.

The Falcons have already made notable moves in recent seasons, drafting players like Kyle Pitts, the standout tight end from Florida, and selecting quarterback Desmond Ridder in the 2022 draft to potentially be the franchise’s future. However, the roster still needs work, especially in key positions like wide receiver, defensive line, and the secondary. While the draft will always be a key route for bolstering a roster, trading for a proven, big-name player from a program like Georgia could offer the Falcons immediate results, given their current situation.

Georgia has developed an impressive roster of talent over the years, with players like A.J. Green, Roquan Smith, and, of course, the reigning national champion Bulldogs. The defensive line and secondary have been particularly strong under head coach Kirby Smart, and many of these players are now entering the NFL with tremendous upside and potential. For the Falcons, targeting a player who has already proven themselves in one of the most competitive college football environments could be an opportunity to strengthen their roster without waiting for the development of younger players.

Why the Falcons Should Target Georgia Players

Before diving into specific names, it’s important to understand why the Falcons should target players from Georgia in the first place. The Bulldogs’ football program has been consistently one of the best in the nation over the last several seasons. With national championships in 2021 and 2022, and multiple players entering the NFL, Georgia has developed a reputation for churning out elite talent.

Georgia’s ability to develop players for the NFL has been unmatched in recent years, with their players consistently making immediate impacts at the professional level. The Falcons, who have struggled in various areas of their roster, could benefit from adding a player who has proven themselves in such a high-pressure environment.

Moreover, Georgia players often come with characteristics that NFL teams value highly—work ethic, leadership, and an unyielding competitive drive. The Falcons could look to these traits as a foundation for building their team around, especially with coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot working to establish a culture of winning in Atlanta.

Let’s explore some of the key positions the Falcons could target and the Georgia players that may be available.

Wide Receiver: A Possible Game-Changer

One of the most glaring holes on the Falcons’ roster is at wide receiver. While the team has young talent in players like Drake London, the lack of a true, top-tier receiving threat alongside him remains a significant concern. A player who could be the answer to that need is wide receiver George Pickens, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 but might be available after some team shake-ups.

Pickens, a former Georgia Bulldog, has the size, skill set, and explosiveness to be a difference-maker in the NFL. His physicality at the wide receiver position combined with his ability to make acrobatic catches could immediately help quarterback Desmond Ridder. The Falcons could be in a strong position to trade for a proven commodity like Pickens if the Steelers are looking to move him, especially if they believe they have other options in their receiving corps or are looking to retool.

Pickens was a standout at Georgia, helping lead them to a national title in 2021. While he had his ups and downs during his first couple of years in the NFL, his potential is still extremely high. If the Falcons were to acquire Pickens, they would not only get a player who is physically gifted but one who has played in high-pressure games and has a strong work ethic to match.

Defensive Line: Powering the Trenches

Another area where the Falcons have struggled in recent seasons is along the defensive line. The pass rush has been inconsistent, and the interior defensive line has struggled to generate pressure. With that in mind, one of the most appealing trade targets for the Falcons could be Jalen Carter, a dominant defensive lineman who played for Georgia and is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

Carter is a game-wrecker on the defensive line, and his blend of size, strength, and agility is rare. He has the ability to collapse the pocket from the interior, which would provide a much-needed boost to the Falcons’ defense. As a high-profile prospect out of Georgia, Carter would immediately elevate Atlanta’s defensive line, providing pressure up the middle while also being a force against the run.

While Carter is expected to be highly sought after in the draft, the Falcons could explore the possibility of acquiring him through a trade—particularly if Atlanta is looking to move up in the draft order or if they see an opportunity to capitalize on a potential trade package. Carter could form a formidable tandem with Grady Jarrett on the interior of the defensive line, giving the Falcons one of the strongest defensive fronts in the NFC.

While Carter’s draft position might make this a difficult trade to pull off, it’s not entirely out of the question for the Falcons to consider. Acquiring Carter would allow the Falcons to dominate in the trenches, making it much easier for their defense to stifle opposing offenses and improve their overall team defense.

Cornerback: Strengthening the Secondary

Another area of need for the Falcons is in their secondary, particularly at cornerback. While the team has some solid pieces, they still lack that shutdown corner that can take away top receivers. Kelee Ringo, a cornerback from Georgia, could be an ideal trade target to fill that gap.

Ringo is a physical, fast, and aggressive corner who made a huge impact during Georgia’s run to the national championship. His ability to cover top-tier wide receivers, combined with his playmaking ability and size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds), would make him an immediate upgrade for the Falcons. Atlanta has a solid secondary but lacks that true, lockdown corner who can consistently cover the opposing team’s best receiver.

Ringo’s combination of size and speed makes him one of the top cornerback prospects, and acquiring him would give the Falcons a cornerback capable of matching up against elite wide receivers in the NFC. Given Atlanta’s need for a playmaker in the secondary, Ringo could quickly become a key component of their defense.

If the Falcons can trade up to land a player like Ringo, it would solidify their secondary and give them a much-needed edge in coverage against some of the league’s top offenses. Ringo’s ability to contribute early on would be a key factor for the Falcons as they look to establish themselves as a competitive team in the NFC.

What the Falcons Would Need to Do to Make a Move

The key for the Falcons will be finding the right opportunity to strike. Making a trade for a big-name Georgia player would likely involve multiple moving parts, including negotiating with other NFL teams, moving up or down in the draft, and assessing which players the team is willing to part with.

For Atlanta, the most logical move might be to trade up in the draft to acquire a player like Jalen Carter or Kelee Ringo. Given that the Falcons are still in a rebuilding phase, they may need to make an aggressive move to land a top-tier talent. At the same time, the team’s financial situation—especially in terms of salary cap space—would need to be considered. Trading for a big-name player could require the Falcons to restructure contracts or make room for additional salaries, which could complicate matters.

Regardless of the logistical challenges, the Falcons need to act decisively. The addition of a big-name Georgia product could have a transformative impact on their team, and with the NFC South remaining wide open in terms of overall competition, strengthening key areas like the defensive line, secondary, or wide receiver could push Atlanta to the top of their division.