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Marc Raimondi
The Atlanta Falcons entered the first wave of free agency on the salary limit. They were able to mess with extensions, restructuring and the launch of the favorite defensive Tackle of fans, Gray Jarrett.
Even so, Falcons had limited resources. They did not make a great splash as they did a year ago when they signed the Marshal of Campo Kirk Cousins with a four -year contract and $ 180 million.
What Atlanta did was seek value. And that strategy landed the players who filled the necessary holes such as the Leonard Floyd edge corridor and the Morgan Fox defensive Tackle, who stand out for reaching the Quarterback, which has been the greatest weakness of the Falcons.
There is still a lot of low season, including the draft when the Falcons choose in No. 15. There are still many needs for Atlanta, which also fought in defense for large sections of the 2024 season.
Here is a look at what Falcons should point from here to week 1:
Edge corridor
Yes, the Falcons signed Flyd, which has had no less than 8.5 captures every season since 2020. But it is not enough. Atlanta was unsurpassed in the captures last season (31) and has not had a two -digit capture leader from Vic Beasley in 2016.
Arnold Ebiketie had six captures in 2024 and the Falcons will get the university pass corridor, Bralen Trice, who lost his entire rookie season with a knee injury. The addition of Floyd helps, but it is better as part of a set and the Falcons Raheem Morris coach has said that he believes that a passes race is better with two powerful options.
Atlanta has made shocking first round selections before, but should go to Chalk, a passenger runner, here. The ESPN Draft analyst NFL Mel Kiper Jr. has the team that takes Marshall Edge Mike Green at number 15. Someone like the Texas A&M passes corridor Stewart could also be at stake. One of the main defenders of Georgia, Jalon Walker or Mykel Williams, should not be discounted either.
Corner
If someone like the corner Will Johnson of Michigan falls to No. 15, maybe the Falcons snatch him. But otherwise, this could be a position of necessity trying to complete the second round or beyond. Atlanta only has five selections, one first, a second, a quarter and two seventh, so don’t be surprised if the main office tries to negotiate for more capital. One of those selections should probably be a corner, although the Falcons have already signed Mike Ford and Keith Taylor and signed again the number 2 of the year 2 CB Mike Hughes.
Ford and Taylor are likely to be role players who have an impact on special teams. One could end up competing for the initial work in Nickel, although Clark Phillips III has won more play time in his third season. Any corner the Draft of the Falcons in the first or second days could end up competing with Hughes for work against corner No. 1 AJ Terrell.
Defensive Tackle
Fox is not a direct replacement for Jarrett, a former professional bowling player. Fox is a specialist in passes, while Jarrett also stood out against the race.
The Falcons could be asking for great seasons from 2024 Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, as well as Zach Harrison, who is entering his third year, inside the line. But they could also seek to sign a veteran in the position or recruit someone.
This year’s class is rich in interior linens. The veteran David Onyemata, who many felt that he was a cut candidate, also remains on the list.
Center
The Falcons lost to Drew Dalman, his Draft selection of the fourth round of 2021, before the Chicago Bears, who signed the center with a three -year contract and $ 42 million. Dalman, like the best player in his market position, was going to be out of the Falcons pricing rank and the team has not signed anyone to replace it.
The most likely scenario is Ryan Neuzil, a restricted free agent who was offered, starting the season as headline. He did well when Dalman went out for eight games in 2024 with a high ankle sprain.
But look for Falcons to write a center or sign someone to compete with Neuzil for that role.
Internal supporter
The first signing of Atlanta in the free agency was the internal supporter Divine Deabel, previously of the Raiders of Las Vegas. Deablo takes a burning speed to a defense that needs it badly, especially in the center of the field. Dooing is solid against the race, a need for Falcons.
It is likely that the season will begin with Kaden Elliss in a rotation with Troy Andersen, who has dealt with injury problems in the last two seasons.
But Deablo is not a star player, and the Falcons could seek to acquire someone to compete for an initial role of internal supporter. JD Bertrand, who goes to his second season, will also be in that mixture.
