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The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly acquiring linebacker Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots for a third-round draft pick, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Per Over the Cap, Judon is currently on the final year of a deal with a $6.5 million base salary, $7,940,556 prorated signing bonus and $1 million per-game roster bonus. His cap number is $14,675,850.
The Patriots already had the NFL’s most cap space at $44,996,372. With Judon off the roster, New England would have $59,672,222 available.
Meanwhile, the Falcons entered Wednesday with an NFL-low $3,541,332 in cap space for 2024. Obviously, adding Judon would put the Falcons over the cap ($11,134,518 to be exact), so the team needs to do some work to add cap space, as Greg Auman of Fox Sports noted.
ESPN’s Field Yates also added more information.
Field Yates @FieldYates
The Falcons absorb Matthew Judon’s $6.5M base salary (for now). A contract adjustment is likely for him. Atlanta gets one of the best pass rushers in the NFL after recently losing Bralen Trice to an ACL tear.
The Patriots acquire future draft capital in their continued youth… https://t.co/2IKxytRLFr
Judon has made clear his desire for a better contract (h/t Matt Geagan of WBZ News). Judon and the Pats ultimately did not agree to terms, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.
At this time, it’s unclear if he’ll play out his deal in Atlanta or agree to terms on a new contract with the Falcons.
But for now, we know he’s in town for 2024. Here’s a look at a projected two-deep defensive depth chart, utilizing the latest team depth chart on falcons.com as a guide.
Falcons Projected 2-Deep Defensive Depth Chart
OLB: Matthew Judon, Lorenzo Carter
DL: Grady Jarrett, Kentavius Street
DL: David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro
DL: Zach Harrison, Ta’Quon Graham
OLB: Arnold Ebiketie, Demone Harris
ILB: Troy Andersen, Nate Landman
ILB: Kaden Elliss, JD Bertrand
CB: A.J. Terrell, Kevin King
NB: Dee Alford, Antonio Hamilton Sr.
S: Jessie Bates III, Micah Abernathy
S: Richie Grant, DeMarcco Hellams
CB: Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III
And here’s a peak at what the Patriots’ two-deep looks like without Judon.
Patriots Projected 2-Deep Defensive Depth Chart
LE: Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr.
DT: Davon Godchaux, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
DT: Christian Barmore, Daniel Ekuale
OLB: Anfernee Jennings, Joshua Uche
LB: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Sione Takitaki
LB: Jahlani Tavai, Raekwon McMillan
CB: Jonathan Jones, Alex Austin
S: Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu
S: Kyle Dugger, Jaylinn Hawkins
CB: Marcus Jones, Shaun Wade
CB: Christian Gonzalez, Marco Wilson
Obviously, losing Judon is a tough loss for the Pats. The nine-year veteran amassed 28 total sacks over the 2021 and 2022 seasons and had four in four games before a torn biceps ended his 2023 campaign early. But if he was on his way out, then it makes sense for the rebuilding Pats to get an asset in return at this time.
New England’s loss is Atlanta’s gain as the Falcons, who were outside the top-20 in the NFL last year with 42 sacks, get a sorely-needed pass-rusher. He should be the anchor of the Falcons’ front seven as Atlanta, which enters a new era behind head coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins, looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
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