The Atlanta Falcons just got busy at the NFL trade deadline, making it crystal clear they were sellers, not buyers. They shipped out two starters, safety Jessie Bates to the Jacksonville Jaguars and center Ryan Neuzil to the Baltimore Ravens, all to load up on future draft picks.
Cunningham’s Long Game: Filling the War Chest
General Manager Ian Cunningham, in his first year on the job, didn’t waste any time making moves. The Bates trade pulled in a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder, making their future undoubtedly brighter. While the Neuzil trade wasn’t quite as lucrative, it still added to their draft capital. It looks like Cunningham is playing the long game, especially after navigating the 2026 NFL Draft without a first-round pick. Sure, the team might take a slight step back right now, but they’re stacking assets for what’s coming.
A 2027 Mock Draft Already Pinpointing the O-Line Future
Get ready, Falcons fans, because the 2027 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a whole lot more exciting. Not only do they have two second-round picks already in the bank, but they’re currently sitting pretty at the No. 10 overall pick in Round 1. With a top-10 selection, quality options will be plentiful. NFL draft experts are already eyeing the offensive line as a popular projection. SI’s new 2027 mock draft even has the Falcons snatching up Utah offensive tackle Zereoue Williams with that No. 10 pick. Justin Melo from SI raved about Williams, saying, “Utah’s Zereoue Williams has been fantastic this season. He’s firmly in the OT1 conversation, and is arguably playing better than Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu did last season, two Utes tackles who ended up being first-round picks. The Atlanta Falcons need a successor for Jake Matthews.”
This makes a ton of sense. The Falcons need to be prepared for life without veteran offensive tackle Jake Matthews, even if he is still playing at a high level. You just never know when someone will abruptly retire, like Kaleb McGary did. Plus, trading Neuzil created another immediate need up front. To top it all off, right tackle Jawaan Taylor is set to hit free agency after the season. That means the Falcons’ offensive line could look wildly different next year, and getting a talent like Williams could be a massive piece of that puzzle.
What’s Next: Eyes on the Future Draft Capital
With these moves, the Falcons are signaling a clear focus on the future. They’ve stockpiled draft picks for 2027 and beyond, setting themselves up for a big offseason. That 2027 draft, with a potential top-10 pick and two second-rounders, is going to be crucial for reshaping this team. Keep an eye on how these additional picks will allow them to build around their young talent and address their most pressing needs, especially on that offensive line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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