Atlanta Falcons’ Taylor Heinicke trade value and top destinations revealed

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke signed as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season, knowing his role was to be Desmond Ridder’s backup.

Heinicke ended up starting four games for the Falcons while Ridder struggled as a first-time starting quarterback in the NFL. The Falcons reworked Heinicke’s contract in the spring, as Heinicke took a pay cut, rather than being fired outright.

His role seemed relatively clear again after the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins ​​to a $100 million guaranteed contract in March — a replacement.

However, with the Falcons adding Michael Penix Jr. in the draft with the eighth overall pick, Heinicke is expected to be traded to third overall. Even if the Falcons don’t say it outright, no one wants Heinicke to take away from a developing rookie like Penix.

Heinicke is a professional who will do whatever he can to help the Falcons, but he’s also a trade item for a team looking for a backup or emergency starter.

Bleacher Report (B/R) took a look at a series of players who have been linked to trades, including Heinicke, and assessed their value and where they might fit.

“A Day 3 draft pick would likely get a deal done right now, as moving Heinicke would also save Atlanta $1.2 million in salary cap space,” Kristopher Knox wrote on B/R. “The Cleveland Browns traded Joshua Dobbs and a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round pick last offseason.”

Despite his struggles last season under Smith, Heinicke has a much better resume than Dobbs. Before last season, Dobbs had started just two games, both in 2022 for the Tennessee Titans.

Heinicke was 12-12 in his five-year NFL career before joining the Falcons as a free agent and still has a positive 39-28 touchdown-to-interception ratio. A fifth-round pick without the return of the seventh-round pick Arizona got in the Dobbs trade makes sense.

“While his availability is high, Heinicke ranks low on our list because his trade value will remain low until another team loses a starter to injury or can’t find one during training camp,” Knox continued. “The New York Giants could be looking for additional insurance as Daniel Jones recovers from a torn ACL. That’s where the Cardinals were with Kyler Murray when they traded for Dobbs. The Vegas Raiders could be interested in Heinicke if they’re not thrilled with how the competition between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew is playing out.”

Heinicke is a cheap, quality replacement by NFL standards. But at $4.5 million, he’s a bit pricey by third-round standards. Would the Falcons be better off trading him, pocketing an extra $1 million in cap savings and getting a Day 3 pick in 2025?

Probably.

Heinicke, 31, is expected to want an opportunity to play in 2024. If Cousins ​​stops at some point during the season, the calls will turn to the 24-year-old rookie.