What is the impact of the Falcons trade for Jordan Richards?

The Falcons trade for Jordan Richards will probably go down as the surprise of roster cut weekend for this team. It was a completely unexpected move Youth Calvin Ridley Jersey , one that had immediate repercussions and is worth breaking down in more detail.So let’s do that right now. Where does Jordan Richards fit in? Opinions on Ron Parker’s preseason success were divided. I thought he had a fairly rough preseason, all told, with that missed tackle against the Dolphins and some coverage miscues that were really only noteworthy because they came against deep reserves. I wouldn’t have blamed the Falcons if they had shrugged that off, given Parker’s veteran status and track record, and kept him as the fourth safety.They didn’t, and it might have been because what Parker brought to the table wasn’t what they wanted by the end of preseason. Richards is undeniably a worse option in coverage than Parker, and it would be fair to suggest that he’s an inferior defender in general. But he is a capable special teamer, and the Falcons have been hellbent on assembling a group of those this offseason. With the team set to find as much time as they possibly can for Damontae Kazee, chances are good that Richards will only have a handful of snaps per game and as many as he can handle on special teams. The Falcons will hope they can coax better things out of him as a safety, and they’ll have to really hope they don’t need to rely on him as a defender before they get there. But for the price of a conditional seventh rounder in 2020, they’ve added yet another interesting ST option for a unit that also added Russell Gage and Justin Bethel this offseason, and a safety with at least some upside. What was he like as a Patriot?Pats Pulpit, our drunk on success Patriots site here at SB Nation, was kind enough to give us a pretty detailed look at what Richards brings to the table from the perspective of someone who has watched him play for years. Here’s Pats Pulpit editor Bernd Buchmasser on Richards, who was fighting for a roster spot this summer. The sense that you get here is that Richards was a bit of a draft bust, and the lack of athleticism is a particularly concerning note given that the Falcons typically prize it. It’s wise to keep expectations manageable in light of everything we know about him Black De'Vondre Campbell Jersey , but as I noted above, the Falcons presumably have a plan that doesn’t involve exposing him to a ton of playing time on defense in 2018. We’ll find out if the compensation, meager as it is, was a worthwhile investment or a very small mistake. Obviously, we all hope the former.Falcons defense vs. Eagles offense: How do they match up? When the Falcons travel to Philadelphia on Thursday, they’ll face a banged up Eagles offense that will likely be missing their top wide receiver and starting quarterback. Don’t sleep on this unit though, as Doug Pederson proved he is an excellent coach who knows how to take advantage of the guys he has. Here’s how the matchup between the Falcons defense against the Eagles offense looks on paper.Note: Analysis is based off of PFF scores.In the trenchesThe Eagles offensive line may be one of the best in the league. Jason Peters is past his prime, but is still one of the best left tackles in the NFL, and on the other side, Lane Johnson may be one of the best right tackles in the game right now. Center Jason Kelce is arguably the best in the league. Brandon Brooks is very good at right guard, while the only weak link — Stefen Wisniewski at left guard — is a quality player in his own right. This is a very good unit that is in the conversation for one of the best in the league. The Falcons defensive front has some intriguing pieces. Grady Jarrett is one of the best young defensive tackles in the league who excels against the run and the pass. Terrell McClain had a rough year in 2017 playing out of position, but has been a quality starter in the past. Vic Beasley has not quite lived up to his first-round status, but looks to bounce back in a move back to defensive end. Takkarist McKinley had a strong rookie year and could be the pass rushing boost this unit has needed.While the Falcons defensive front looks improved, they are going against one of the best offensive lines in the game. Until they can prove they are a dominant young unit, the edge has to go to the Eagles here.Advantage: EaglesThe skill positionsWith Carson Wentz still recovering from his 2017 ACL tear, it looks like the Eagles will start Nick Foles at QB. Foles had a great run in the 2017 playoffs Youth Matt Ryan Jersey , but is an up and down QB who has looked poor this preseason. He’ll also be missing Alshon Jeffery at WR1. Nelson Agholor had his best season yet last year, but is clearly not a WR1. At tight end, the Eagles do have the fantastic Zach Ertz, and he’ll likely be a primary passing target throughout the game. The Eagles’ most dangerous weapons is their trio of running backs. Jay Ajayi showed how dominant he can be when we played them last year. Darren Sproles is older, but is still a dynamic weapon that can give linebackers fits. Corey Clement is third on their depth chart, but is also a highly capable and dangerous weapon out of the backfield. The Falcons linebackers are highly athletic if not somewhat inconsistent. Deion Jones is on the verge of becoming one of the best in the league in the middle, excelling in pass coverage. De’vondre Campbell has steadily improved the last two years, and likewise has the ability to stick with nearly any RB or TE in the league with his coverage skills. Second-year linebacker Duke Riley is the wild card. He was a liability last year and will likely come off the field on passing downs. The Falcons secondary is a unit that deserves more respect than it gets. Veteran corners Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant are a great compliment to one another and both possess the speed to keep up with any receiver in the league. Ricardo Allen is an under appreciated free safety whose play is consistent and high quality. Keanu Neal is a nightmare over the middle who can hit hard but also covers tight ends particularly well. If Jeffery and Wentz were playing, this matchup would likely be much closer. However, with those guys out and the Falcons defense possessing the talent to handle the Eagles weapons, this part of the matchup favors Atlanta.Advantage: FalconsOverallThe Falcons defense has the ability to be a top unit, but will need to prove it this year. Getting a backup QB in their first game should help, though they will have a long day against this stout offensive line. However, if last year’s playoffs are any indication, they are more than up to the task of limiting this Eagles offense. Advantage: Falcons