Falcons Land Pro Bowler Matt Judon to Fortify Defense
The Atlanta Falcons have secured a significant addition to their defensive lineup, acquiring four-time Pro Bowler Matt Judon in a trade with the New England Patriots. Aiming to bolster their defensive front, the Falcons are betting on Judon's prowess to turn around their recent struggles in exerting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
In the 2023 season, the Falcons ranked a disappointing 25th in the NFL with a quarterback pressure rate of just 32.7%. Additionally, they tied for 21st in sacks, accumulating a total of 42.0. With Judon now in their ranks, Atlanta hopes to see a marked improvement in both categories.
Judon's choice to join the Falcons was influenced by competitive aspects within the NFL. "He obviously chose the Falcons because they are in an NFC South division that seems to be very much up for grabs year-to-year while Chicago has some stiff competition in the NFC North with two of their division foes, the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers, both winning at least one playoff game last season," an article noted.
Both the Falcons and the Chicago Bears had proposed a third-round pick to the Patriots for Judon, but the Patriots allowed Judon to select his preferred destination. Judon ultimately chose Atlanta, a franchise looking to revitalize its postseason ambitions.
A major player on the defensive side, Judon brings a formidable resume. From 2021 to 2022, the edge rusher tallied an impressive 28.0 sacks, tying for the third-most in the NFL during that period. Notably, he recorded 15.5 sacks in 2022 and 12.5 sacks in 2021 while donning the Patriots' uniform. Over the past three seasons, Judon has maintained a robust quarterback pressure rate of 15.7%.
However, Judon is recovering from a season-ending torn lower bicep injury sustained in Week 4 of the 2023 season. His rehabilitation and return to peak form will be critical to the Falcons' defensive success.
In terms of draft capital, the Falcons have notable additions including Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro as their second-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft and Washington rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice as their third-round selection. Unfortunately, Trice is on injured reserve due to an ACL tear suffered during the preseason opener.
Atlanta's roster adjustments have not been confined to the defensive side. The Falcons also signed quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is in the process of recovering from his own season-ending injury. Cousins, known for his steadiness and leadership, is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Falcons' offensive schemes.
The organization is hoping these strategic moves can break a postseason drought, as the Falcons have not made a playoff appearance since 2016. This year, Atlanta pulled off a coup by securing Judon despite being outmaneuvered in earlier pursuits. "Atlanta walked away with their prize this time after failing to do so, in the Montez Sweat trade sweepstakes, losing him to the Bears, and in their bid to trade up for UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu," another report reflected.
These series of strategic acquisitions and bold moves indicate that the Falcons are serious about transforming their squad and clawing their way back into playoff contention. With Judon anchoring the defense and Cousins expected to stabilize the offense, Atlanta might finally be ready to turn the corner and reclaim its status as a competitive force in the NFL.