Seahawks trade young offensive tackle to Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have made a move to bolster their offensive line, acquiring offensive tackle Michael Jerrell from the Seattle Seahawks. This trade was confirmed by NFL insider Tom Pelissero in a recent post.
Prior to this, Kaleb McGary was slated to be the starting right tackle for the Falcons. However, McGary's injury will now keep him out for a significant amount of time, leading the team to seek reinforcements.
Jerrell, a second-year player drafted by the Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2020 draft, primarily played at right tackle last season. He appeared in 10 games, starting three times, and has previous experience in the National Football League.
The addition of Jerrell eases the strain of McGary's absence at right tackle. Elijah Wilkinson, who has been with the Falcons, has been moved to the right tackle position to fill the void.
The Falcons made this deal due to the injury loss of Kaleb McGary. The team is excited to have Wilkinson compete for the right tackle position, and the addition of Jerrell provides more depth at the offensive lineman position.
The offensive unit of the Falcons is expected to be a key factor in their competition for a playoff spot. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. needs to be protected by the offensive line, and the team believes that the acquisition of Jerrell will help in this regard.
It's worth noting that Jerrell's Pro Football Focus grade for last season was 46.4, ranking him 82nd out of 86 NFL offensive tackles who played at least 250 snaps. However, the Falcons are hopeful that Jerrell can improve and contribute positively to their offensive line.
The Seahawks sent Jerrell to the Falcons for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. This trade by the Falcons is an attempt to rectify their need at the lineman position and ensure the protection of their young quarterback.
The Falcons are expected to rely heavily on their offensive unit to stay competitive in most games. With the addition of Jerrell, they hope to have a stronger and more resilient offensive line that can help them secure a playoff spot.
