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Report: Atlanta Falcons may be talking trade for Bruce Irvin

By Kyle Franzoni

Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) scores on a 49-yard interception return in the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-6 to clinch the NFC West division title. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) scores on a 49-yard interception return in the fourth quarter against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-6 to clinch the NFC West division title. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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After not having his 5th year option exercised by the Seattle Seahawks, Bruce Irvin is finding himself in trade rumors with the Atlanta Falcons.

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With news that the Seattle Seahawks were not likely to exercise their fifth year option on defensive end Bruce Irvin prior to the May 3rd deadline, speculation automatically jumped to a possible pre-draft trade for the pass rusher. That speculation immediately fell to the Atlanta Falcons, who Irvin has shown an affinity toward playing for.

According to Pro Football Talk, the Atlanta native has made it known that he would like to play for the Falcons, a move that would allow Irvin to play under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn was named the Falcons head coach shortly after the Super Bowl.

The acquisition of Irvin would certainly benefit a Falcons team that finished 32nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed (279.9) and ranked with just 22 sacks, led by Kory Bierman’s 4.5 in 2014. Needless to say, they could definitely use an upgrade in the pass-rushing department, and Bruce Irvin could be the man to do so.

Irvin put up 6.5 sacks in 2014, while splitting time at defensive end and both linebacker positions. Additionally, he added two interceptions (both for touchdowns) and a forced fumble on the NFL’s best defense. Irvin contributed another pair of sacks during the Seahawks push to the Super Bowl as well.

A trade makes sense for the Seahawks at this stage, as they’d like to shed Irvin’s $1.663 million salary for 2015 ($2.895 cap hit) and possibly position themselves better in the draft. Any team acquiring Irvin would then have the ability to exercise his 2016 option, valued at a significantly higher $7.8 million, prior to the May 3rd deadline.

In addition to Atlanta, other teams that could use a boost in the pass-rushing department would include Cincinnati, Oakland, San Diego, and Dallas. However, the Falcons remain the likely favorite due to the familiarity with Irvin and the system they can place him in.

The Falcons currently hold the 8th pick in the draft and Seattle has already traded out of the first round with their acquisition of Jimmy Graham. That said, a swap for Irvin involving a first round pick remains unlikely. In fact, Mike Maycock recently predicted that the Falcons would take Kentucky outside linebacker Bud Dupree at number 8. There has also been chatter about Atlanta trying to work a deal with Oakland to move up to #4 and select former Florida Gators OLB Dante Fowler Jr.

There is a lot still in the works before the NFL Draft officially kicks off at 8:00pm EST.

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