Atlanta Falcons reportedly in pursuit of star pass rusher before NFL trade deadline

The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly trying to swing a blockbuster trade for one of the better young pass rushers in the NFC.

While it hasn’t come easy, the Atlanta Falcons head into the Week 8 NFL games today surprisingly in first place in the NFC East. They have a 4-3 record, have scored big wins over teams like the Buccaneers and Packers, and they are the eighth-ranked team in our current NFL defense rankings.

Furthermore, young quarterback Desmond Ridder has seemingly turned an important corner in recent weeks as the leader of the offense. Yet, they are far from a complete team and a serious Super Bowl threat. One area they could certainly use some improvements is in their pass rush.

After seven games they are tied for the fifth-fewest sacks in the league this season with just 13. Well, the organization understands they need a better pass rush if they hope to compete with the elites of the conference and seem to be pursuing one of the best available before the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.

Atlanta Falcons offered a third-round pick for Montez Sweat

On Sunday morning, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that “Per a league source, the Falcons have offered a third-round pick for [Montez] Sweat.”

Montez Sweat (2023): 27 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 10 QB hits

Obviously, the offer was not accepted and Sweat still remains on the Washington Commanders roster. It should excite Falcons fans that the team is trying to make big swings in the trade market to improve the team as they chase the NFC South title and a playoff spot in 2023.

Sweat and teammate Chase Young are reportedly available since the Commanders have struggled again this season and because both players are in the final year of their contracts. The first-round pick from the 2019 NFL drafted has posted 5 or more sacks in every season of his career, including nine sacks in 2020 and eight last season.