The Atlanta Falcons have their work cut out for them this offseason. They went 8-9 this past season in the first season of Raheem Morris at the helm, but the roster needs some tweaks.
The biggest storyline around the Falcons surrounds Kirk Cousins and what the team will do with him. The offense has good foundation pieces but the defense needs some work. During the 2024 season, Atlanta was 23rd in total defense (345.2), 22nd in passing defense (224.5), and 15th in run defense (120.6).
This unit could use a boost and may have the perfect defensive addition on the trade block. According to Ian Rapoport, Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade.
#Bengals defensive captain and leading tackler Germaine Pratt has requested a trade, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2025
Cincinnati has been devoting resources to keeping their offensive core together and Pratt was close to DC Lou Anarumo, who was fired after last season. pic.twitter.com/NuP0TmxIZv
NFL News: Germaine Pratt is on the Trade Block
Pratt came into the league as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and has been an instinctive playmaker over the middle of the field.
The 28-year-old has tallied at least 75 tackles in all six seasons with the Bengals, including 100-plus stops in consecutive seasons. This season, Pratt was tied for 10th in the NFL in total tackles (143). He has one year left on his deal at $7.9 million for the 2025 season.
Atlanta has Nate Landman hitting free agency. Troy Anderson has one year left on his deal but hasn't been able to stay healthy over the last two seasons.
They also have Kaden Elliss on the books for the 2025 campaign and he was one of the best players at the linebacker position in 2024. He was tied for second in the NFL in total tackles (151).
Pairing Elliss with Pratt would give the Falcons a dynamic duo in the middle of the field. They need more consistency on that side of the ball and bringing in a player like Pratt would raise the floor of that unit.