Two Trade Targets for the Falcons Before the 2026 Season Begins
The trade market has been buzzing as of late, especially after the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams across the league have a chance to splurge on players who are either excess goods, need a change of scenery, or want out of a less-than-desirable situation. No matter how good a general manager thinks their team is, there are always spots on the roster that can be improved. The Atlanta Falcons are looking to improve their roster, and there are two players who would fill needs on both offense and defense if Atlanta makes the move.
Keon Coleman
One player who desperately needs a change of scenery is the Buffalo Bills' 2024 second-round wide receiver, Keon Coleman. After his promising rookie campaign, Coleman’s sophomore year was riddled with inconsistent play and drama. It got so bad that the former Florida State receiver was a healthy scratch multiple times during the season. That’s saying a lot, as he was competing with an overall subpar Bills wide receiver room while also playing with one of the best quarterbacks on the planet in Josh Allen. The rumor mill has been running rampant about where the Bills will send the former Seminole, and some experts believe the Falcons would be a logical fit. The Falcons lack a wide receiver who can threaten the boundaries opposite Drake London, and Coleman can fill that role. Coleman also has contractual flexibility, as he’s still on his rookie deal, which is signed through 2027. If Coleman can use his large frame and great speed to his fullest, it would be an enormous help for whoever wins the quarterback battle by week one.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Another player who seems to be running through the trade rumor mill is former fifth overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. Ever since being drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Thibodeaux’s career has been very up and down. The former Oregon Duck had a monstrous 11 and a half sacks during his sophomore campaign, but hasn’t touched those heights since. 2025 was very underwhelming for Thibodeaux and the New York Giants as a whole, as he only managed two and a half sacks and 25 combined tackles while playing in only 10 games. Unfortunately, the California native seems to be the odd man out in a loaded Giants defensive line. He’s going to have to fight for a rotational spot with rookie Arvell Reece and sophomore Abdul Carter, which seems to be a battle Thibodeaux is losing. A trade seems all but imminent for the former Oregon prospect, and the Falcons would take him in with open arms. With James Pearce dealing with legal issues and Leonard Floyd walking in free agency, Atlanta lacks another marquee edge rusher who can get to the quarterback, aside from second-year defensive end Jalon Walker. Thibodeaux could fill the role that Floyd left and then some. Though he’ll need to be paid after the 2026 season, this would be the perfect prove-it year for the former Duck. If the production from his sophomore year can return, Thibodeaux could add great value to an already budding Falcons defense.
