New Falcons edge rusher Matt Judon chose Atlanta over this team prior to trade from Patriots, per report

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The Atlanta Falcons quenched their thirst for pass rush help along the edge of their defense by trading for four-time Pro Bowler Matt Judon last week, but they almost didn’t get him.

Atlanta had a clear need ranking 25th in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate (32.7%) and tied for 21st in sacks (42.0) in 2023, but another NFC team also swiped away at the last moment. Both the Falcons and the Chicago Bears, according to The MMQB, offered a third-round pick for Judon, and given their proposals were essentially equivalent, the New England Patriots were cool with letting the veteran choose his next NFL home.

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. Atlanta walked away with their prize this time after failing to do so, per ESPN, in the Montez Sweat trade sweepstakes, losing him to the Bears, and in their bid to trade up for UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu in the 2024 NFL Draft with the Indianapolis Colts opting to stick and pick him at pick 15.

Judon will be a welcome addition for a squad whose most notable front-seven acquisition this offseason was selectingClemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro in the second round (35th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Falcons’ third-round pick from the same class, Washington rookie edge rusher Bralen Trice, was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in the team’s preseason opener. 

Judon’s 28.0 sacks from 2021 through 2022 are tied for the third-most in the NFL with Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt,…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/new-falcons-edge-rusher-matt-judon-chose-atlanta-over-this-team-prior-to-trade-from-patriots-per-report/

Author : Garrett Podell

Publish date : 2024-08-19 20:32:15

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