The NFL trade deadline doesn't arrive until tomorrow afternoon, but the Atlanta Falcons have already struck a big deal to kick off the festivities. Today we learned that they have sent safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars, getting a second and a fifth-round pick in return.
While Atlanta's defense will take a significant hit without Bates, they are getting a damn-good return for half a season.
For their efforts, the Falcons front office hasearned a B+ grade from USA TODAY for the trade. Meanwhile, the Jaguars only got a C+.
"Kudos to Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham for not stubbornly barreling ahead with a roster that remains firmly in the mix for the NFC South crown... But Atlanta's new leadership clearly understands the scope of the reset
it's staring down. Getting such a rich return for a player who likely wasn't in the franchise's long-term plans is nothing short of laudable." - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY
The second-round pick in 2027 is a surprisingly valuable gem and will help improve their draft return after a dismal haul in 2026 that did not include a first-rounder. The fifth in 2028 is just an added bonus.
It's always tough to swallow losing a playmaker of Bates' caliber, but it's probably the correct move to sell now and think about the future - which still looks pretty bright despite what we've seen the last two weeks on the field.
The Falcons have a strong young core - and with the right moves they could have a championship window opening up - provided that Michael Penix Jr. can continue improving his game in the coming years. Acquiring cap space and draft picks to build up the supporting cast is the right call.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons get high marks for Jessie Bates III trade with Jaguars
