The Atlanta Falcons don’t believe they are in salary cap hell, but the team certainly won’t be landing any of the top-tier players when free agency begins.
Continuing with our positional target series, here are seven defensive back options for the Falcons to consider in free agency.
Darqueze Dennard
2019 Stats: 37 tackles (25 solo), 5 passes defended (9 games played)
Analysis: Dennard may not have progressed into the first-round talent he was thought to be coming out of Michigan State, but he’s become a valuable nickel corner. Aggressive and physical in coverage, Dennard has the kind of all-around ability that Atlanta should covet considering the team’s cap situation. Injuries have hindered him, though, playing only one full season in six years. He’s still just 28 years old and has some upside if he can stay healthy. Dennard had three career interceptions and 22 passes defended during his time in Cincinnati.
Mackensie Alexander
2019 Stats: 38 tackles (30 solo), 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 5 passes defended, 0.5 sacks
Analysis: Alexander is another option that could help the Falcons in the slot. The Vikings’ defense wasn’t great against the pass in 2019, but it was still a tough unit that helped the team reach the playoffs. Alexander, a second-round pick in 2016, has impressive closing speed in coverage. While his numbers don’t reflect that of a play-maker (two career interceptions), he can cover well (21 career passes defended) and is good enough as a tackler to be a safe investment. Plus, he’s just 26 years old and entering his physical prime.
Kevin Johnson
2019 Stats: 36 tackles (25 solo), 1 sack, 5 passes defended
Analysis: Kevin Johnson, 27, is another free-agent slot corner that could be right in the Falcons’ price range. He played well in his role for the Bills, who were a surprise playoff team in 2019. Johnson is reliable in coverage but not the most inspiring of tacklers. He won’t command top-tier money, which should be Atlanta’s top trait when evaluating free agents in 2020. However, Johnson is someone that could step in for a year or two and provide good coverage in the slot, while allowing the Falcons to continue to develop Isaiah Oliver as an outside CB.
Bradley Roby
2019 Stats: 38 tackles (35 solo), 2 INTs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
Analysis: Roby had a strong 2019 season but hasn’t been consistent enough during his NFL career to command top-level money in free agency. At just 27 years old, Roby is entering his prime and playing his best football. He started outside for a Houston team that got to the divisional round of the playoffs last year. Atlanta doesn’t need a No. 1 corner, although adding a solid starter to an injury-riddled secondary isn’t the worst idea. While Isaiah Oliver has shown enough promise to be relied upon as the team’s No. 2 CB next season, adding someone like Roby to bring more competition and depth is worth considering.
Darryl Worley
2019 Stats: 58 tackles (51 solo), 1 INT, 8 passes defended
Analysis: 25-year-old Darryl Worley did a decent job for a bad Raiders secondary last season. He defended eight passes, had an interception and recorded 51 solo tackles. He’s someone that could play outside or in the slot, and would be a good target for a team looking to get a lot out of very little cap space. Will someone overpay him based on his age? It’s possible, but he hasn’t made the kind of impact to command a long-term investment just yet. Signing Worley to a team-friendly deal is the kind of under-the-radar move Atlanta needs to be thinking about in free agency.
Ross Cockrel
2019 Stats: 62 tackles (48 solo), 2 INTs, 8 passes defended
Analysis: Ross Cockrel is solid in coverage and the Panthers look to be in tanking mode as the team moves on from head coach Ron Rivera. He can step into the slot for Atlanta and continue to be quietly efficient. He isn’t a great tackler, but recorded two interceptions and defended eight passes for Carolina in 2019. Cockrel would provide good depth and is someone that can fill in as a starter if needed.
Logan Ryan
2019 Stats: 113 tackles (73 solo), 4 INTs, 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles
Analysis: Ryan is very productive slot corner, putting up outstanding numbers last year (4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and four interceptions). The Titans have said they don’t plan on re-signing Ryan and his numbers compare favorably to most of this year’s free agent CB group. If he doesn’t get overpaid by a desperate team, Ryan is a durable talent that would be worthy of a two or three-year deal. He’s a better tackler and would arguably make the biggest impact of anyone on this list for the Falcons next season.
