The Atlanta Falcons are likely approaching the 2026 NFL trade deadline with an open mind. After all, the team is just 3-5 and unlikely to shake up the roster. However, the Falcons do play in the NFC South - the league's least-serous division - and aren't even close to being out of the playoff hunt.
While we could definitely envision general manager Ian Cunningham using the deadline to upgrade a position or two, we don't see any reason why he would ship off valuable contributors unless the offer was just too good to refuse.
Nonetheless, the NFL trade deadline always creates rampant speculation around the league. In a recent ESPN trade feature, Seth Walder made a case for the New York Giants to target Falcons defensive tackle Maason Smith before
the deadline.
"Falcons DT Maason Smith. The Falcons are suddenly somewhat loaded at defensive tackle. The stats paint a bit of a mixed picture on Smith, who ranks in the 96th percentile in pass rush win rate and 38th percentile in pressure rate. But the Giants could use an interior player who could provide some pass rushing threat in passing situations, and Smith could be that." - Seth Walder, ESPN
Smith has been a quality addition thus far, and since the Falcons traded former second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro to acquire him from Jacksonville, we don't see the upside in the move. Of course, if the price was right, all bets are off.
The Falcons have a few minor needs and could use some extra wide receiver depth. Rookie Zachariah Branch was ruled out back on Monday, which could be an indication that his hamstring injury is slightly more severe than we thought.
ESPN also listed Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes as a trade target for the Detroit Lions. Plus another recent ESPN feature suggested Atlanta trade for Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Some of this could depend on how the team fares in this Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN says Giants should target Falcons DT at NFL trade deadline
