Sack-starved Falcons address need with Matthew Judon trade - ESPN

ATLANTA — The Falcons were roundly criticized on the first night of the NFL draft for taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick after spending $100 million in guaranteed money to land quarterback Kirk Cousins. A pass rusher, the Falcons' biggest need, could have been taken with that selection.

Now, the Falcons have their quarterback of the present, their quarterback of the future and their best edge rusher in nearly a decade.

The New England Patriots are sending Matthew Judon to the Falcons in exchange for a third-round draft pick, according to a report Wednesday night from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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Judon, who is a free agent after this season, and Atlanta will look to get a new deal done before the season begins, per ESPN's Dan Graziano. The move by Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot signifies that the Falcons are serious about contending in 2024 and beyond. They're the betting favorite to win the NFC South at -120, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at +300, according to ESPN BET.

To say the Falcons have been desperate to put pressure on the passer recently would be an understatement. Atlanta has not had a double-digit sack leader since Vic Beasley in 2016, which corresponds to the team's last Super Bowl appearance.

Over the past three seasons, the Falcons ranked last in sack percentage and pressure percentage, while ranking 31st in pass rush win rate, per ESPN Stats & Information.

Going