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Projected Falcons Myles Garrett Trade Package Lands Star in Atlanta

By Cem Yolbulan

Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before the game against Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before the game against Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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After their seventh straight losing season, the Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs once again. Throughout this seven-year stretch, the Falcons never had an above-average defense.

Despite hiring defensive-minded head coach Raheem Morris and new defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, things didn't improve last season as the Falcons finished 23rd both in points allowed and total yards. As a result, they made the decision to bring back Jeff Ulbrich as the defensive coordinator.

While that is likely a positive move, the Falcons also have to make personnel changes. The talent level on the defensive side of the ball leaves plenty to be desired and the Falcons should consider swinging big in acquiring one of the best defenders ever.

On Monday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Browns star Myles Garrett requested a trade. The 29-year-old defensive end is someone the Falcons should seriously consider going all-in for.

Projecting a Falcons-Myles Garrett Deal After Trade Request

Falcons Receive: Myles Garrett
Browns Receive: Atlanta's 2025 1st (No. 15 overall), Atlanta's 2026 1st

In his eighth season in Cleveland, Garrett put together another elite performance, registering 14 sacks for his seventh straight double-digit sack season. The Browns, however, continue to waste the prime of one of the best players of his generation, making the postseason only twice in that span.

Garrett is rightfully tired of playing meaningless games in December and January. He made his desire to play for a Super Bowl contender known. While the Falcons may not fit that bill immediately, Garrett would solve their biggest problem and bring them closer to contender status.

Per Pro Football Focus, the Falcons were the third-worst team in pass rushing last season. They also had the second-fewest sacks of any team in the league with 31. Garrett would single-handedly get them to another level on that end of the field.

The biggest obstacle in a Garrett trade is obviously the asking price. There will be a massive bidding war for an All-Pro player in his prime with two seasons left on his contract. While Browns GM Andrew Berry recently said that he would be unwilling to part ways with Garrett for two first-round picks, things have changed since then.

Two firsts from Atlanta could be very appealing for the Browns. The Falcons' aforementioned struggles have kept them out of the postseason, meaning they've consistently picked in the first half of the last several drafts. That's prime capital for Cleveland, which is slated to enter a full-scale rebuild after this news.

There's also the fact Atlanta is expected to trot out the inexperienced Michael Penix Jr. as a its full-time starter in 2025; that, too, could drag the Falcons down the standings as they go through QB growing pains.

Still, landing Garrett would be a massive step in the right direction for the Falcons as they look for a playoff return.

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