The Atlanta Falcons entered the new league year with very little cap space to work with. After restructuring quarterback Matt Ryan’s contract, they were able to make a few small free agent moves, though.
First, the team beefed up at the guard position, signing James Carpenter to a four-year contract and Jamon Brown to a three-year deal. Atlanta also upgraded at tight end, inking former Titan Luke Stocker to a two-year deal and re-signing Logan Paulsen for one. The Falcons also signed backup running back and kick return specialist Kenjon Barner. There are still several roster holes though, especially on defense.
Here’s the top four positions they need to address during the rest of free agency or in the upcoming 2019 NFL draft.
1. Defensive end
The Falcons were already thin at defensive end before they cut Brooks Reed and failed to re-sign Bruce Irvin, now with the Panthers. They’re also clearly still missing Adrian Clayborn, who was recently released by the Patriots. Clayborn is one of several good edge defenders still on the market. Unfortunately, it will be tough for Atlanta to sign a real difference-maker at defensive end given its cap situation. However, they will have several interesting options to choose from in the draft.
2. Offensive tackle
Jake Matthews is just fine at left tackle, but there’s not much else to like here. Ty Sambrailo is in line to start at Schraeder’s old spot if the team doesn’t add somebody else to the mix. Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff like what Sambrailo did in 2018 enough to give him a three-year extension, but he’s probably better off playing as a backup. The free agent market offers no hope at this position, so picking a plug-and-play starter at right tackle should be a high priority in the draft.
3. Defensive tackle
The Falcons need to add another defensive tackle that can push the pocket and complement Grady Jarrett. Terrell McClain was a disappointment last season and will not be brought back. Other than Jarrett, the only promising player at position is last year’s third-round pick, Deadrin Senat. While many are understandably high on Senat, the Falcons need at least one more capable defensive tackle to ensure a strong rotation.
4. Cornerback
Atlanta’s cornerbacks all had a bad 2018 season. Since then, they’ve cut Robert Alford and lost Brian Poole to free agency. They haven’t added anybody and can only afford the cheapest of free agents at this point. Isaiah Oliver and Damontae Kazee will probably replace Alford and Poole in the starting lineup, but after addressing the lines they should draft another slot corner and an outside corner just in case.
