NFC South trade targets: Falcons should add Cowboys quarterback

The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 31. Here are deals each team in the NFC South should make.

Atlanta Falcons: Acquire Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance

We've seen enough of Desmond Ridder in Atlanta. Backup Taylor Heinicke is little more than a stop-gap option, so trading for Lance would give the Falcons an intriguing prospect with more upside than what they have on their roster. 

Dallas acquired Lance by sending a 2024 fourth-round pick to San Francisco. The Falcons could send a similar package to the Cowboys, potentially with protections if he hits (or fails to hit) specific benchmarks.

Carolina Panthers: Send Brian Burns to Lions for future first(s)

Detroit ranks 31st in ESPN's pass-rush win rate model. Carolina doesn't have a first-round pick. Trading Burns to the Lions makes sense. The Panthers failed to sign the edge rusher to a long-term extension this offseason, and with their defense struggling in the shift to a 3-4 attack under Ejiro Evero, the stage is set for a trade. 

The Rams reportedly offered two firsts for Burns at last year's trade deadline, and if the Panthers can get something similar (from the Lions or another team), they should pounce. Carolina is without its first-round pick in the 2024 draft, which projects to be the No. 1 overall pick through six weeks. It can lessen the sting of that loss by acquiring draft capital in a trade involving Burns.

New Orleans Saints: Acquire Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles

Arguably the biggest problem in New Orleans is the offensive line, which Bolles could fix. The Saints rank 28th in yards per rush attempt (3.4 yards) while the Broncos offensive tackle ranks ninth among players at his position in ESPN's run-block win rate model. The Saints benched 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning in Week 6 against Houston, but he was forced back into action after James Hurst (ankle) left the game.

New Orleans and Denver are familiar with each other after making numerous trades during the offseason, including ones involving coach Sean Payton and tight end Adam Trautman. A Bolles trade to New Orleans should be next on the list.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Acquire Giants running back Saquon Barkley

Swing for the fences, Tampa. The Bucs (3-2) are first in the NFC South through six weeks despite an appallingly lousy running game. Rachaad White averages 3.3 yards per attempt, and the team ranks 29th in rush offense. 

Barkley deserves better than running behind Tampa's pathetic offensive line. However, he should still be able to make a difference, at the very least taking attention off Bucs wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Bucs are better than most expected them to be and they owe it to themselves to see how far this ride can go.