There's no telling what the Atlanta Falcons will do when the 2026 NFL trade deadline arrives this Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. With so many young pieces on the roster, it wouldn't make much sense for the Falcons to be sellers at the deadline.
However, at 3-5, the team is unlikely to mortgage its future for any player. First-year general manager Ian Cunningham hasn't shied away from the trade market thus far, but he seems primarily focused on making long-term moves.
Atlanta traded for defensive tackles Maason Smith and Gervon Dexter before the season started. Smith's future looks bright, and Dexter recently signed a long-term extension.
We aren't expecting anything major from Cunningham and Matt Ryan before the deadline, but a few Falcons players have
been mentioned as trade targets. ESPN's Bill Barnwell suggested the Detroit Lions trade for cornerback Mike Hughes in an effort to add secondary depth.
Hughes, who previously played for the Lions in 2022, has quietly helped solidify Atlanta's No. 2 CB spot.
"Veteran cornerback Mike Hughes was with a very different version of this Lions team in 2022 before leaving for the Falcons in free agency. He has started most of his time there, but after A.J. Terrell Jr. returned from injured reserve, Hughes has been in a reserve role, including a season-low eight defensive snaps during last week's loss to the Buccaneers. He wouldn't be an obvious upgrade on any of the options in Detroit, but the 29-year-old has been a reliable low-end starter at corner for most of his time in Atlanta." - Bill Barnwell, ESPN
Hughes has been solid, but unless the Falcons are punting on the season, trading him doesn't really help their chances in 2026. We can't imagine a return of anything beyond a Day 3 pick at this point.
Rookie Avieon Terrell is still developing, and with second-year cornerback Billy Bowman Jr. working his way back from multiple injuries, Hughes clearly has value in Atlanta.
ESPN also thought the New York Giants should target Falcons defensive tackle Maason Smith at the dealine.
"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
Atlanta acquired Smith while his value was at an all-time low, but the former second-round pick has turned things around in Atlanta. With Gervon Dexter and Brandon Dorlus both thriving, the Falcons finally have solid depth at the defensive tackle position.
The team should be in no hurry to get rid of that depth as the defense continues to ascend under Jeff Ulbrich.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN lists Falcons CB as NFL trade deadline target for Lions
