Rams Shopping Leonard Floyd; Falcons Potential Trade Partners?

The Atlanta Falcons need to upgrade their pass rush this offseason. Now with the Los Angeles Rams shopping Leonard Floyd, could he be a fit in Ryan Nielsen's defense?

The Los Angeles Rams are kicking off their rebuild this offseason, having already come to terms with a "mutual parting of ways" with inside linebacker Bobby Wagner. 

They are now looking to trade away key other pieces in cornerback Jalen Ramsey and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, according to a report by ESPN. 

So, should the Atlanta Falcons join the race?

Floyd, the former Georgia Bulldog, has emerged as one of the NFL's top pass rushers, racking up at least nine sacks in his three seasons in Los Angeles. Since signing with the Rams after being released from the Chicago Bears in 2020, Floyd has accumulated 29 sacks, and 59 quarterback hits, proving to be an effective pass-rusher. 

Getting after the quarterback was a struggle for the Falcons last season, finishing second to last in sacks with 21. 

With a projected $65 million in cap space and the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Falcons have an opportunity to upgrade their pass rush. With Floyd now being available via trade or even as a free agent if he is released (which ESPN said would happen if he isn't traded), Atlanta could make for an intriguing match. 

The only real question about a potential Floyd-Falcons partnership is how he would fit into Ryan Nielsen's defense. In his time as the co-defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, Nielsen presided over a unit that worked in a 4-3 scheme, which is different from what the Falcons ran with Dean Pees (3-4). 

At 240 pounds, Floyd could be considered too small to play as a traditional defensive end in the projected 4-3 defense that many envision Nielsen will run in Atlanta. 

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