Could Atlanta Falcons Pursue Trade for New York Jets' Carl Lawson?

Rushing the passer has been a weak spot in recent years for the Atlanta Falcons that could use strengthening at the trade deadline.

With preseason expectations of breaking their postseason drought that has been in effect since 2016, the Atlanta Falcons are still in a position to achieve their goals even after dropping three of their last four games, which has them sitting in second-place in the NFC South. 

A win on Sunday versus the current holder of first-place in the division, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, could mean the Falcons claim the top spot. However, through the first six games, and with the trade deadline approaching, some are suggesting that the Falcons should use it to strengthen their roster.

A recent article from CBS Sports has the Falcons looking for help at edge rusher, as they traded away their 2024 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets for defensive end Carl Lawson. 

"New York paid Lawson big bucks to join the D-line back in 2021, but he's no longer needed in Robert Saleh's ferocious front," CBS Sports writes. "Atlanta, meanwhile, is perpetually in need of pass-rushing assistance. Call it a classic low-risk, high-reward swap for a former standout veteran with a once-bloated contract."

Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets defensive end Carl Lawson (58) celebrates a defensive stop during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Lawson, 28, is in the midst of his sixth season in the NFL and just his third with the Jets. Since signing Lawson to a three-year, $45 million contract, things have not quite worked out for either side. 

The former Auburn Tiger has played in four games for the Jets this season, totaling just three tackles, and he has seemingly fallen down the depth as he is listed as a healthy inactive for their Week 5 game versus the Denver Broncos. 

However, prior to what has been a disappointing season, Lawson did produce for the Jets a year ago, recording 33 tackles, nine for a loss, 24 quarterback hits, and seven sacks while playing in all 17 games after missing the entire 2021 season with a torn Achilles. 

A trade to the Falcons would not only be a homecoming for Lawson as he played high school football at Milton in Alpharetta, Ga., but would also offer a change of scenery and potential at more playing time. 

Rushing the passer has been a glaring weakness for the Falcons in the last two seasons on defense, as they've ranked last in the league in sacks. ... And while they committed money to solve the problem, with the free agent signings of defensive tackle David Onyemata, defensive end Calais Campbell and outside linebacker Bud Dupree, they still rank toward the bottom of the league with 10 sacks so far. 

Lawson could give the Falcons another option off the edge to help produce more sacks and get after the quarterback.