4 most valuable Falcons trade assets they can use to acquire Justin Fields

DEFENSE

3. CB Dee Alford

Most of the attention goes to Jessie Bates and AJ Terrell – and rightfully so – but Alford's a young, talented member of a Falcons secondary that was full of young, ascending talent. Like a lot of young cornerbacks, his 2023 performance was a mixed bag – he had some great performances, but was also at one point benched for Mike Hughes. Alford's only 26, and is under team contract for less than a million dollars per season over the next two (he's a restricted free agent in 2025). If the Falcons think that Hughes is going to be their main slot guy going forward, the Bears could bring in Alford and have him compete with Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson for two of the three final spots, assuming Jaylon Johnson returns.

4. DL David Onyemata

Admittedly, this would be quite the coup for Chicago. Onyemata was quietly one of the best defensive lineman in football last season, ending the year ranked as PFF's 9th best (out of 130). And according to PFF, only Jessie Bates – who was graded as the best safety in football – played better for the Falcons last year. He'll make $12 million next season and $14 the year after that, but that's a relative steal considering what Top-10 defensive linemen are getting on the open market right now. A defensive front that included Onyemata, Montez Sweat, Tremaine Edmunds, and TJ Edwards would immediately one of the NFL's best. It'd be surprising to see Atlanta move on just one season after signing him to a three-year, $35 million deal, but crazier things have happened, and you do what you have to do in order to get a franchise QB in the building.