The Atlanta Falcons could use some more weapons for quarterback Kirk Cousins, and with the recent resurgence of Justin Jefferson trade speculation, Jefferson could be a potential target.
At least that’s what Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine thinks.
A recent report from Charley Waters of The St. Paul Pioneer Press revealed that the Vikings attempted to trade up for LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers in the NFL Draft last month.
Of course, Nabers ended up going to the New York Giants with the sixth overall pick, and Minnesota ultimately moved up one spot to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10.
But if the Vikings were seriously trying to trade up for Nabers, it indicates that they may have been willing to move Jefferson.
Jefferson is preparing to enter the final year of his deal, and Minnesota has yet to make any significant progress in contract negotiations with the superstar wide out.
The fact that Jefferson’s name was mentioned in trade rumors could have an adverse effect on contract talks, as Jefferson may well be peeved by the rumor. That’s assuming the report is true, obviously.
Nevertheless, Ballentine suggests a reunion between Cousins and Jefferson in Atlanta.
Could The Falcons Land Justin Jefferson?
Jefferson spent the first four years of his career catching passes from Cousins and posted some historic numbers with the signal-caller, so he is certainly familiar with him.
Ballentine proposes that the Falcons send receiver Drake London, a 2025 first-round draft pick and a fourth-rounder to the Vikings in exchange for Jefferson.
This would supply Minnesota with a talented young wide receiver in London while also giving the club some pretty nice draft capital for next spring.
Meanwhile, Atlanta would land arguably the best pass-catcher in football.
Jefferson made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons, earning a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2022 after leading the league in both receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809) to go along with eight touchdowns.
The 25-year-old probably would have made a fourth straight Pro Bowl appearance in 2023 had he not gotten injured, as he caught 68 passes for 1,074 yards and five scores in just 10 games.
The Falcons are obviously in win-now mode, which is why they paid a soon-to-be-36-year-old Cousins $100 million in guaranteed money. Adding Justin Jefferson into the fold would firmly establish them as legitimate threats in the NFC.
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