WATCH: Falcons unsurprisingly finding 'weak' Vic Beasley trade market

The Atlanta Falcons began their selling this week with the trade of wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to the New England Patriots. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff landed a great return for the veteran wideout, but that might have been Atlanta's best trade piece.

The player the team probably wants to dump the most, pass rusher Vic Beasley, has a 'weak' trade market according to Jeff Schultz of The Athletic.

Falcons continue to try to trade Vic Beasley but market - normally hot for a pass rusher - is weak because Beasley has spiraled so much. Several teams were interested in Sanu. @TheAthleticATL
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) October 22, 2019

I hate to be the pessimistic one of the group, but it's hard to understand why that's so shocking to some parts of the Atlanta fan base or media. Yes, Beasley plays a valuable position, but he hasn't played it well in three years.

Beasley has 1.5 sacks and 14 combined tackles in seven games this season. He also has five quarterback hits.

But in the last three contests, Beasley hasn't made any negative plays. His only noteworthy act was a pass deflect against the Cardinals in Week 6.

Each of the last two seasons, Beasley has recorded 5.0 sacks. Sure, he led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2016, but he hasn't reached that market since then over the span of 37 games -- more than two seasons.

If anyone shows any interest in Beasley before the trade deadline, it will be as a reclamation project, and no one pays top dollar for that. The fact he's on an expiring contract -- an expense one at that -- hurts as well because whoever would acquire him won't have much time to turn around his career before he hits free agency.

The Falcons are doing the right thing by looking for a new home for Beasley, but if they really want to dump the former All-Pro, a late-Day 3 draft selection will likely be the return.