Atlanta Falcons Don’t Make Any Trades Sign Guard Zane Beadles
The Atlanta Falcons and Coach Dan Quinn held true to their word about not being active at the trade deadline. The team tested the free agent market instead.
The NFL trade deadline was active this year, seeing eight players change teams via trade. The Atlanta Falcons were not one of the active teams. They chose to stand pat and apparently value their draft picks above all.
D Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Atlanta Falcons were not expected to make any trades in this article. The report proved to be true as the Falcons stood pat.
Of the eight players that were moved, I felt two could have really helped the Atlanta Falcons. Dante Fowler Jr. and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
Dante Fowler Jr. is a 6’3 255 edge defender. He was the third overall pick in the 2015 draft out of the University of Florida, by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fowler has 14 career sacks, and recorded eight sacks last season. He has two sacks this season in 117 rush snaps, compared to Vic Beasley who has one sack in 234 snaps.
Trading for Dante Fowler Jr. would have given the Atlanta Falcons an upgrade in their rotation, as they lack true edge rushers besides Vic Beasley and Takkarist McKinley.
Having both men on the team, would have given the club the opportunity to take a look at Fowler along side Beasley to see if one is worth paying long-term. Both players are nearing the end of their rookie contracts.
Unfortunately its a moot point now, as Dante Fowler Jr. was traded to the undefeated Los Angeles Rams. The Jaguars received a third round pick in the 2019 draft and a fifth round pick in the 2020 draft, as compensation.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a 6’1 208 pound safety. He was drafted by the Green Bay packers number 21 overall in the 2014 draft, out of the University of Alabama. Ha Ha has 14 career interceptions, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2016 when he had five picks.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is in the last year of his rookie contract, and could have provided a nice stop-gap until safety Keanu Neal returns from injury.
Clinton-Dix is a veteran with much more awareness than Jordan Richards, who has manned the strong safety position most of the season. In fact the position has been such a problem, than journeyman Sharrod Neasman played a career high 40 snaps against the Giants.
Instead of enlisting the help of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the Atlanta Falcons will play against him this week. Their opponent the Washington Redskins traded for Clinton-Dix, giving up a fourth round pick to acquire the safety.
The Falcons did make a move, signing eight year veteran offensive lineman Zane Beadles. Beadles is experienced, making 115 career starts in three stops with the Broncos, Jaguars, and 49ers. He’s also extremely versatile and able to play guard, tackle, and center.
Zane Beadles, a pro bowl player in 2012 provides insurance, particularly at the guard position where the Dirty Birds have lost both starters for the season due to injury.
The Falcons are still very much in the race but these next two games in Washington and Cleveland will be critical. Should the Falcons win both games, the team has a real shot at making a playoff run, with star linebacker Deion Jones eligible to return the following week against Dallas.
The Atlanta Falcons have chosen to stick with the players they have in-house. Over the next few weeks we will see if Dan Quinn is correct about having the men to get the job done in-house, or is suffering from roster arrogance.
light. Related Story. Five Falcons Players That Must Improve After The Bye Week
Should the Atlanta Falcons have made a move? If so, for whom? Let us know in the comments below. Keep a browser window open to Atl All Day for up to date analysis on the Atlanta Falcons, and all of the Atlanta area sports teams you love. We appreciate our readers.