The 2025 NFL season has been a rather weird one for the Atlanta Falcons. Even as they stand 3-3, they’ve had some wildly disappointing performances, like the blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers, interspersed with extraordinary nights, like the win over the Buffalo Bills. As a result, it has been impossible to get an accurate pulse on the team, a feeling that extends to their quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., as well.
The last few weeks, though, have been outright weird from an organizational standpoint for them. After firing the wide receiver head coach, Ike Hilliard, the team then let go of a major success story from last season, Ray-Ray McCloud III. To ensure that the offense can still retain its edge, and perhaps even become more dynamic, one analyst wants the Falcons to look at potential upgrades near the trade deadline.
Falcons Could Find Ray-Ray McCloud III Replacement
With Drake London as WR1 and Bijan Robinson on pace for a historic season, both on the ground and through the air, the offense isn’t a big worry for Atlanta. However, it is also not bereft of improvement, as their 17th rank on PFSN’s Offense Impact clearly shows.
But for a young quarterback like Penix, having multiple weapons in the secondary can only be a recipe for success. As a result, Josh Weil of PFSN has the Falcons as one of the primary trade destinations if the Miami Dolphins choose to move on from Jaylen Waddle.
In the fifth season of his career, he’s having one of his better seasons so far, with 405 yards and three touchdowns, good for the 16th rank on PFSN’s WR Impact. With a 1-6 record, there is a very good possibility that the Dolphins will look towards a complete roster teardown.
In the first year of his three-year extension, worth $84.75 million, that he signed with the team, his remaining on the team for the foreseeable future should make him a lucrative prospect for any team to add, making him among the biggest pieces for them to move.
And Atlanta would fit in as a destination perfectly. “Outside of Drake London, there is no real second option in the passing game, which is consistent game in and out.”
As a result, the logic from Weil is brilliantly simple. “Adding Waddle would make the Falcons’ offense extremely dynamic and open up some more space for one of the most promising running backs in the league, Bijan Robinson.”
The 3-3 record could take a substantial uptick if the offense catches up to the defense. But right now, the personnel aren’t allowing them to be significantly better than their current production. Penix is going to go through the growing pains of a first-year quarterback.
But the weapons around him could be improved to help him take a major step forward.
