The Atlanta Falcons addressed possibly essentially the most urgent problem on their roster Wednesday by buying and selling to purchase Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots.
Judon helps to fill Atlanta’s determined want for an edge rusher. And if the 32-year-old remains to be in prime kind after lacking most of final season with a torn biceps, the Falcons are getting top-of-the-line within the NFL.
Judon mixed for 28 sacks over his first two seasons in New England, and was nicely on his method to double-digit sacks final yr with 4 in 4 video games earlier than his damage. The one factor Atlanta may be wishing now could be that it had one other stud rusher reverse Judon to remove (or profit from) a few of the consideration he’ll absolutely entice.
We now have agreed to phrases, pending bodily, on buying Matthew Judon from New England
Welcome to The 🅰️, @man_dammn!
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 15, 2024
I all the time discovered it humorous how negatively individuals reacted to the Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 total as a substitute of an edge rusher, as if there was a single participant obtainable who was going to vary the outlook of their protection.
However after the Judon commerce, these individuals are most likely getting the final chuckle. Possibly Laiatu Latu or Dallas Turner alone wouldn’t have given Atlanta a fearsome rush, however a type of gamers mixed with Judon may have been particular.
Matthew Judon commerce grades: Who gained the Patriots-Falcons deal?
As an alternative, Atlanta must hope Judon alone can push Atlanta’s pedestrian rush to a different degree. Particularly after third-round decide Bralen Trice tore his ACL in Friday’s preseason sport. Then once more, possibly that damage precipitated the Judon commerce within the first place.
Regardless, it’s a great begin. Although the Falcons’ -185 odds to make the playoffs went unchanged after the commerce, their odds to win the NFC South improved from -120 to -150. In terms of contending for a Tremendous Bowl, although, Judon alone most likely isn’t sufficient to take this unit the place it must be.
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