The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 15th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s talk about the Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons
Key acquisitions: S Jessie Bates, TE Jonnu Smith, DT David Onyemata, LB Kaden Elliss, QB Taylor Heinicke, DL Calais Campbell, WR Mack Hollins, CB Mike Hughes, LB Tae Davis, DE Joe Gaziano, WR Scotty Miller, T Joshua Miles
Re-signed: T Kaleb McGary, OLB Lorenzo Carter, FB Keith Smith, P Bradley Pinion,T Germain Ifedi, CB Cornell Armstrong
Departures: QB Marcus Mariota (Eagles), CB Isaiah Oliver (49ers)
Remaining free agents: LB Rashaan Evans, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, S Erik Harris, WR Damiere Byrd
Analysis: The Falcons were surprisingly extremely active in free agency, which is either a very good sign or a very bad sign. I was intrigued by the amount of free agents that decided to sign here, especially for a team that has a ton of uncertainty at the quarterback position, but they have options.
After the failed Marcus Mariota experiment last year after trading franchise legend Matt Ryan, Atlanta turned to rookie third-rounder Desmond Ridder for the final four games and was underwhelming. It’s unknown whether he’s the long-term answer, but they brought in competition with Taylor Heinicke. The journeyman found a home with Washington the last couple years and took advantage of his opportunity, but was not deemed part of their future, so he signed with Atlanta where he has a legit chance to be the full-time starter if Ridder doesn’t develop further. We’ll see if Atlanta drafts a QB high in the draft, but this was a smart move for both sides.
The offense gets some help with cheap deals for Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller, as well as the trade acquisition of Jonnu Smith, who reunites with his former offensive coordinator and current head coach Arthur Smith.
They also kept two starters on the offensive line with right tackle Kaleb McGary, and extending All-Pro right guard Chris Lindstrom.
The Falcons were ranked 30th in defensive DVOA per Football Outsiders, so they really needed to rebuild, and they brought in some big names.
The biggest name is former Bengals safety Jessie Bates, who signed a four-year deal after five years in Cincinnati. The free safety never misses a snap and is the model of consistency with a nose for the football. He’ll lead the secondary alongside young start corner A.J. Terrell and veteran Casey Hayward. They also brought in Mike Hughes, a former first-rounder who’s bounced around a bit. He’ll help replace former starter Isaiah Oliver.
They also signed a couple former division rivals in David Onyemata in the interior defensive line, and linebacker Kaden Elliss, who had a breakout 2022 when thrust into a starting role. Also joining the defensive line is 15-year veteran Calais Campbell, who is still very productive at 36 years old.
Conclusion: The Falcons have had a rough few years, but they truly believe they are about to build something big. They’re still missing that young promising QB that a team like this really needs, but all the other pieces are there around whoever that QB will be.
Drake London looks like a legit WR1, and Mack Hollins will be a solid WR2, but they need to build up that depth with guys better than Scotty Miller and Frank Darby. I assume they’ll be using Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith a ton to be a deadly tight end duo. They are set up to run the ball a lot with second-year back Tyler Allgeier leading the way with utility back Cordarrelle Patterson.
The defense is rebuilding with the new veteran leadership of Bates, Campbell, and Onyemata. The rest of the team is very young with promising players. I like Ta’Quon Graham, Mykal Walker and Troy Andersen in the front seven with Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins in the secondary.
This is a solid rebuilding team, they just need that one important piece to really show that this regime can bring a winning culture back to Atlanta.
Football Nerds 