Falcons Shop for Receiver Before Trade Deadline
Atlanta is reportedly seeking a wide receiver upgrade as the NFL trade deadline approaches on Nov. 10.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
The Atlanta Falcons are looking to add a wide receiver before the NFL trade deadline, according to CBS Sports' Josh Edwards, who named the position Atlanta's biggest trade need. Edwards listed six possible trade targets for the team.
Why it matters
Adding another receiver would reduce the load on Drake London and let Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheaus and Zachariah Branch work in roles better suited to their skills. The move could also help quarterback Michael Penix Jr. build on his recent strong play.
Drake London leads Atlanta with 38 receptions for 616 yards and one touchdown through seven games, while Jahan Dotson has 12 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Indianapolis's Josh Downs, a potential target, has 26 catches for 307 yards this season.
The players
Drake London
London is the Falcons' leading wide receiver and a former first-round pick whose production anchors Atlanta's passing game.
Michael Penix Jr.
Penix is Atlanta's starting quarterback, who earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after his performance against San Francisco.
Josh Downs
Downs is an Indianapolis Colts wide receiver who reportedly requested a trade and is playing out the final year of his rookie contract.
The details
Atlanta beat San Francisco 29-20 on Oct. 25, and Penix was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing three touchdowns without an interception. The Falcons, now 3-4, have the offensive line coaching of Bill Callahan to thank for better protection for their quarterback and skill players.
Timeline
Oct. 25: Falcons beat San Francisco 29-20 and Penix was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Oct. 28: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Colts receiver Josh Downs requested a trade.
Oct. 30: CBS Sports named wide receiver Atlanta's biggest trade need.
Nov. 10: NFL trade deadline.
Season Trajectory
Atlanta's search comes as the Falcons try to convert a 3-4 start into a playoff push in a competitive NFC. A receiver addition before the Nov. 10 deadline would be the team's main lever for improving its offensive weapons this season.
If Atlanta adds a receiver, Dotson, Zaccheaus and Branch could see changed snap counts and target shares, affecting fantasy projections for those players. A trade would also shift how London's production is distributed across the Falcons' receiving corps.
The takeaway
Teams in playoff races often use the trade deadline to fix one specific gap, and Atlanta's receiver search follows that pattern. Fans tracking the Falcons should watch the Nov. 10 deadline for any move that changes the team's target distribution.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline falls on Nov. 10, when the Falcons must decide whether to add a receiver.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see the Atlanta Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
