To be bold is to take risks, and the Falcons have already taken several this offseason. Since the team has created a little over $11 million in cap space, Atlanta could still go all in on one of the remaining free agents.
As we highlighted earlier in the week, some big names are still on the market. So, here are three bold free-agent moves that would help the Falcons’ chances of returning to the Super Bowl in 2020.
CB Logan Ryan
2019 Stats: 113 tackles (73 solo), 4 INTs, 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 18 passes defended, 8 QB hits
Adding Logan Ryan makes too much sense for the Falcons to not at least consider it. He’s versatile enough that he wouldn’t hinder the development of the team’s young corners. Plus, Ryan is the kind of veteran leader missing from Atlanta’s current group.
So why cut Desmond Trufant just to sign Ryan? Because Trufant’s release was mostly about freeing up cap space. It’s why he landed so quickly on his feet in Detroit. Now that the Falcons’ 2020 roster is taking shape, signing a play-making corner like Ryan who can line up inside or outside may be the spark this secondary needs to thrive under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris this season.
G Larry Warford
Warford could step right in to play left guard next to Alex Mack and Jake Matthews, and the Falcons’ run game would immediately improve. Adding this veteran road-grader would also take away the need to rush another young lineman into starting action, and the team wouldn’t have to start James Carpenter. Warford was released by the Saints. What better feeling could there be than beating Sean Payton with one of his own guys?
Warford is a three-time Pro Bowl guard, and while he’s now 29 years old, Alex Mack has proven over time that age is sometimes overvalued. Todd Gurley would enjoy running behind one of the most talented offensive lines in all of football, assuming Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary continue to progress.
This would also give the team options in 2021 if Mack wants to retire, as rookie Matt Hennessy can play all three interior positions.
DE Jadeveon Clowney
2019 Stats: 31 tackles (21 solo), 3 sacks, 13 QB hits, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD
Atlanta won’t be able to compete with the more cap-wealthy teams when it comes to free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. However, his reluctance to sign with the Browns could be an indication that the former No. 1 overall pick may not be looking to cash in as much, instead wanting to play for a contender. If the Falcons can get Clowney to sign a one-year, incentive-filled contract that allows him make good money if he performs, it could be a great situation for both parties.
Ideally, he could help Atlanta return to the playoffs, while re-establishing his value to the league as a difference-maker, which he can parlay into a more lucrative long-term deal next year.
Realistically, this is still a long-shot option. The Falcons would probably have to move money around in order to sign Clowney along with this year’s draft class. There’s always a cost to making bold moves, though.
