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The Atlanta Falcons could be moving on from its 2015 first-round pick sooner than expected.
ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reports that defensive end Vic Beasley is on the trade block.
#Falcons had high expectations for Beasley when they picked up his fifth-year option, but so far he’s yet to produce. Additionally, the organization believes that a change of scenery would benefit Beasley - who is only 27 years old.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 18, 2019
Moving Beasley isn’t at all a bad move for the Falcons, a team themselves in tailspin and needing resources for 2020 to aid a turnaround.
Head coach Dan Quinn took it upon himself to tutor Beasley and try to help him regain his 2016 form, when he led the league in sacks. That hasn’t happened in the slightest, with the former Clemson star only posting up 1.5 sacks and eight tackles this season thus far.
A trade reminds you of when, last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars sent pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2019 third and 2020 fifth-round pick.
A former first rounder himself, Fowler had roughly the same stat line (two sacks, 21 tackles in eight games) as Beasley has right now, and performed roughly the same for the Rams once acquired.
Beasley could potentially fetch as much from a team that could use some pass rushing help, and he’s aided by that 2016 super season that could leave him desirable for a team that feels they could unlock his potential.
Any team that trades for him would have to take on the rest of his salary and be doing it on potentially a rental deal since Beasley will be a free agent in 2020.
The cap-flushed Indianapolis Colts feel like a team that’s both a bit thin at rusher and could pounce on this to give themselves a chance at January football, as could cap-friendly teams like the Cleveland Browns (trying to spark a turnaround), Oakland Raiders (better than expected), Philadelphia Eagles (always looking for ways to bolster the rush), Buffalo Bills (a team vying for a playoff spot) or Kansas City Chiefs (a near-playoff lock wanting more).
Really, there are any number of teams who might be interested if they’re willing to part ways with draft resources (we think a 2020 fourth could do it) and take on Beasley’s remaining salary.
There are no guarantees Beasley is traded, of course, and the team hypothetically could just see him walk in March. But if a trade could be done, consider this the most likely scenario at the moment.
We’ll see if the team makes a move as the Oct. 29 trade deadline approaches.