The Atlanta Falcons still have a lot of work yet to do this offseason. With the NFL draft now in the rear-view mirror, the focus should be on extensions for players like wide receiver Julio Jones and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Signing both to long-term deals will not only reward the team’s top performers, it will also free up more short-term cap room.
Atlanta’s front office does not have much wiggle room, though. According to Over the Cap, the Falcons have just $2.45 million in cap space left for 2019. Only two teams have less. Another way they can create more room is to trade players who are either under-performing or are at positions that are already stacked.
With that in mind, here’s four players who could be on the trading block this offseason.
WR Mohamed Sanu
Why: Sanu put up career numbers last year. However, the Falcons have since changed offensive coordinators and Dirk Koetter may not have as much use for him as Steve Sarkisian did, especially given his penchant for two-tight end sets. More importantly, Calvin Ridley looks like he’s going to become a monster receiver and deserves a larger share of the offense.
Why not: Sanu remains a valuable piece for Atlanta’s roster, even if Ridley is crowding him out a bit. He’s reliable and one of the most consistent producers from the slot. Sanu is a dangerous deep passer on trick plays and can be used effectively as a rusher in wildcat formations. Sanu is also an extension of the coaching staff, so his value goes beyond the field.
Cap savings: $6.25 million in 2019, $6.5 million in 2020
G Wes Schweitzer
Why: By now, you’ve probably heard how much work the Falcons have put into their offensive line this offseason. Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary, Jamon Brown, James Carpenter, Adam Gettis and John Wetzel are in, while Brandon Fusco, Andy Levitre and Ryan Schraeder are out. Schweitzer could be next on that list if Brown winds up higher on the depth chart.
Why not: Schweitzer has not been a star since coming into the league three years ago. However, he’s not the liability he was early on. Schweitzer showed some improvement in 2018 and there’s no guarantee either Brown or Carpenter will work out. Keeping him around might not be a bad idea for extra interior depth.
Cap savings: $2 million for 2019
DE Vic Beasley
Why: Beasley had a breakout year in 2016, leading the NFL in both sacks and forced fumbles. Since then, that season has proven to be a fluke. Beasley is only an average defender on his best days and has often been a massive liability when it comes to stopping the run. Getting what they can for Beasley now seems like a good idea.
Why not: Beggars can’t be choosers. Even though the team added Adrian Clayborn and John Cominsky to the edge rotation, there’s not a ton of DE depth to spare. If one of them or Takk McKinley gets injured, then Atlanta might be happy they kept Beasley around.
Cap savings: $12.81 million for 2019
LB Duke Riley
Why: Much like Beasley, Riley hasn’t lived up to the hype since he was taken in the third round in 2017. Unlike Beasley, he hasn’t even had a breakout season to fall off from yet. While he did show improvement last season, Riley is still too raw to be relied on to play significant snaps.
Why not: As the Falcons learned the hard way last year, their linebacker depth isn’t great. If Deion Jones goes down again, Foye Oluokun is probably the best replacement. However, Riley might be the best option on the roster to step up and play the weak side in his place. He’s also still on his rookie deal and has some more time to develop.
Cap savings: $1.546 million combined in 2019 and 2020
