Falcons’ latest signing may indicate Deshaun Watson trade is coming

By signing Casey Hayward in free agency, it could mean the Atlanta Falcons are the favorite to trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward in free agency, potentially signifying that Deshaun Watson is being traded to his hometown Dirty Birds.

Heyward is signing a two-year deal worth $11 million. The Perry, Georgia native played his college ball at Vanderbilt. After being drafted by the Green Bay Packers, he rose to prominence with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. Last offseason, he followed former Bolts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to Las Vegas. It is shocking that he is not following him to the Indianapolis Colts.

What makes this signing all the more intriguing is this: Hawyard is an Athletes First client, as he and Watson are represented by the same agent, David Mulugheta.

Atlanta Falcons sign Casey Hayward, triggering Deshaun Watson trade rumors

Ari Meirov of PFF pointed out that Mulugheta represents Hayward, Watson and two young Falcons stars of note: Cornerback A.J. Terrell and tight end Kyle Pitts. These are Atlanta’s two most recent first-round picks and arguably two of their top-six players.

Of course, starting quarterback Matt Ryan has to be traded first. In a greater crashing sense of urgency, he has a $7.5 million roster bonus due on Friday.

To make things even more interesting, Pitts seems to think something is up in Flowery Branch. Though the tweet was deleted, screen shots are out there on Twitter forever.

Atlanta may really do this thing.

So while one would think Pitts and/or Terrell could be going to Houston in a blockbuster trade for Watson, they might stay. Besides every future first-round pick under the sun going Houston’s way, Atlanta’s other viable trade assets include legacy defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, offensive tackle Jake Matthews and guard Chris Lindstrom. Atlanta really does not have a lot of talent internally.

This may not be much of anything, but Dirty Bird Nation is on high, high alert after these events.