Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Man, y'all. I really need the draft to get here. Anyone else feel like the final week leading up to the draft just absolutely drags? It's like all of this anticipation has been building and building with no release, and now we are just... waiting. Sitting around for any morsel of information we can get from decision-makers across the league.
No? Just me?
I digress.
The big news of the last seven days since our last Mailbox installment is that of Derek Carr's reported injury. The Saints quarterback has a shoulder injury that very well could knock him out of majority of the 2025 season. This could cause a major shift in the quarterback market that could bleed over beyond the draft and into the summer months. It could have residual effects on someone like Kirk Cousins.
And that's where we're starting this Mailbox off today.
Will S. from Summerville, Georgia
Hi, Tori. I just read that Derek Carr might be out for the season. With the Browns signing Joe Flacco, does this make the Saints the likely landing spot for Cousins? Would the Falcons balk at him going to a division rival or would that be outweighed by the need to ship him out? Thanks!
The only viable way for the Falcons to accrue cap savings with Kirk Cousins' contract is to trade him after June 1. That is, of course, under the assumption the team trading for Cousins would be willing to take on his $27.5 million guaranteed salary in 2025 (or I guess, even a portion of it). That would mean the Falcons could save that money towards the cap while carrying a dead money hit of $12.5 million.
The problem in that is... well... the Saints. Because of the Carr contract, the Saints' cap is absolutely tied up in it. To add on the added weight of Cousins? I know the cap can always be manipulated, but to manipulate it that much seems crazy to me.
According to OverTheCap.com at the time of publication, the Saints have just north of $27 million in cap space. But they still need to sign their draft class, which if they were to keep all nine of their picks would wipe out over half of that cap space. To make Cousins on the roster work, the Saints would have to offload funds (i.e. cap casualty players), figure out a way to split cost with the Falcons via something they offer in the trade package or tie up money down the road (p.s. they have already added three void years to Carr's contract, by the way). None of these options seem at all feasible for the New Orleans organization. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but I find it hard to believe they'd be willing to sell the farm for Cousins. They may find themselves desperate for a quarterback, but it's not worth putting themselves in a tough situation beyond this year in order to make it work. My advice? Just take it all on the chin this year, get through it and then rebuild from there — with a young quarterback (whether it be someone in this year's class or next year's). Kellen Moore is in his first year anyways. Wash 2025 and get to 2026.
But hey, why would the Saints listen to me?
For more information on the Carr/Saints/Cousins/Falcons situation, I recommend this article from Terrin Waack.
John J. from Ringgold, Georgia
I have been pouring over mock drafts nonstop for the last week and it seems everyone is confused as to where Shedeur Sanders ultimately falls. I know the Falcons obviously don't need a quarterback, but I am curious your thoughts on Sanders?
You're right. I would argue there is no player as polarizing as Sanders in this year's draft class. Some draft experts have him going to the Giants as the No. 3 overall pick. Others have him to the Saints or Steelers in the first round. Others have him falling out of the first round entirely.
I tend to fall into the opinion of the latter group if I am being honest. I think Sanders is an electric talent, but I do think he has a lot of development to do. And the teams that need quarterbacks need them... now. I think the idea that I most vibe with is the Giants taking Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter at No. 3, and then potentially grabbing Sanders in the last first or early second round.
The New York situation with Russell Wilson on a one-year deal and the opportunity for Sanders to learn behind him and develop in the meantime is the best case scenario. But who knows. I could be way off base in this thought. Perhaps the decision-makers in New York, New Orleans or Pittsburgh feel differently. We shall see.
CALL FOR QUESTIONS
You can submit said questions here, or send me a tweet to @tori_mcelhaney.
