New York Jets: 3 Trade targets with ties to new coaching staff

2. Foyesade Oluokun, Linebacker

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2015 through 2020 and spent the first five seasons as the linebacker coach before moving to defensive coordinator this past season. During that time, he coached many talented players including linebacker Foyesade Oluokun.

A sixth-round pick out of Yale in 2018, Oluokun was quickly thrown into the fire for Ulbrich. As a rookie, he had seven starts while playing all 16 games and recorded 91 tackles and forced a fumble. He then started three games in 2019 while appearing in all 16. His numbers dipped due to the fact that he started fewer games but he still was impactful with 62 tackles in his rotational role.

Each of those campaigns proved to be nothing more than appetizers for what Oluokun had in store for his first season as a full-time starter. In 2020, Oluokun racked up 117 tackles with four going for a loss and he added three sacks. He also had his first two career interceptions and forced four fumbles.

His value was really seen when he was injured during their game against Dallas in Week 2. Oluokun was completely dominating that offense and forcing turnovers on what seemed like every drive. He then had to go to the locker room and the Cowboys offense then became unstoppable and pulled off an improbable win.

Atlanta would surely want to keep Oluokun but they’re also in rough shape with the cap. He might not be making much now, but entering the final season of his rookie deal, Oluokun could command more money in the coming offseason that the Falcons can’t afford. For that reason, they might be willing to get something in return now rather than nothing in 2022.