The Atlanta Falcons have made some cuts already this offseason, moving on from cornerback Robert Alford, kicker Matt Bryant and defensive end Brooks Reed and informing cornerback Brian Poole he will be allowed to become a free agent next month.
That’s a good start, but there’s still plenty of fat to trim from the roster. Here’s six more players they should allow to hit free agency come March 14.
G Andy Levitre
For most of his first three years in Atlanta, Levitre was a solid starter at left guard. Unfortunately, late in the 2017 season he suffered a triceps injury that forced him off the field. Levitre re-aggravated the injury in September and was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season. At this point in his career, it’s unlikely he can recapture the form he showed from 2015-2016. Levitre will also soon turn 33 years old, which means it’s time to find a younger and cheaper option in the draft.
QB Matt Schaub
Matt Ryan has not missed a game in 10 years, so the chances that the Falcons will need Matt Schaub in 2019 are low. Schaub’s last deal was worth $9 million over two years. That’s on the higher end for a backup, but Schaub is one of the better QB2s in the NFL. It won’t be much longer until Schaub decides to retire, though. Atlanta needs to find a developmental quarterback who can be Ryan’s understudy for the third act of his career.
DE Derrick Shelby
Re-signing Shelby was arguably the most head-scratching move made by the front office last year. The team had previously cut him for cap savings and he didn’t project to play any meaningful amount of time. Shelby wound up playing just 135 defensive snaps in 2018 – about 12 percent of the team’s total. There’s something to be said for defensive line depth and the versatility Shelby offers, but the Falcons can do better. It’s a very deep free agent class at defensive end and signing someone to boost the edge rotation should be a priority.
DT Terrell McClain
The Falcons were hoping that McClain would help fill the considerable hole left behind by defensive tackle Dontari Poe’s exit in free agency. While the rookie Deadrin Senat showed plenty of promise and held up his end, McClain was a dud. In the end, Pro Football Focus ranked him No. 106 at his position for the 2018 season.
S Jordan Richards
After Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal went down, Atlanta tried a flurry of moves in the secondary to compensate for their loss. Some went better than others. While Damontae Kazee became a breakout star at free safety, strong safety became a liability. Sharrod Neasman did alright, but when Jordan Richards came in the defensive backfield notably fell off. Trading a pick to the Patriots for Richards is one to want back.
RB Tevin Coleman
In an ideal world, the Falcons could retain everybody that they hoped to keep. Every year, popular and capable players leave, though. That’s the nature of the business and it’s why Tevin Coleman is likely on his way out. Despite what general manager Thomas Dimitroff has said, signing long-term deals for both Devonta Freeman and Coleman would be an egregious allocation of resources. Running backs simply aren’t important enough to justify that kind of investment. Coleman will be missed, but he didn’t have a great 2018 season and Atlanta should be just fine with Ito Smith stepping up to be Freeman’s No. 2.
