We’ve reached the end of the offseason overhaul series! For the sake of this article, I’ll be including some special teams players as we round out the roster. Safety is a sore spot for the Falcons, but I saved up some cap space for this position specifically. We have a couple more spots left to fill, so let’s get to work. All figures are via Over The Cap.
If you want to check out my articles from my previous offseason series, One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, and One Trade — those will be linked below:
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Quarterback
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Running Backs
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Wide Receivers
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Tight Ends
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Offensive Line
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Edge Rushers
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Defensive Line
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Cornerbacks
- Falcons 2023 Offseason: One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, One Trade — Safeties
Previous Editions of this series are listed below:
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Quarterback
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Running Back
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Wide Receiver
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Tight End
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Offensive Line
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Defensive Line
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: EDGE
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Linebacker
- Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Cornerback
Current Roster:
S Richie Grant
S Jaylinn Hawkins
This duo had a lot of expectations going into the 2022 season, and they often fell short. No worries, I have a pretty big plan to help this rotation out.
Sign Kareem Jackson
The veteran Jackson is about to turn 35, but he can provide a lot of valuable insight to the younger players in this Falcons secondary. He also shouldn’t be too expensive, and trust me, the next guy is. I’d like someone like Jackson on a one-year deal to help stabilized the back end of Atlanta’s defense.
Kareem Jackson signs a one-year, $2 million deal.
Sign Jessie Bates III
My last free agent move is a big one. At 26 years old, Jessie Bates is the perfect target for the Falcons. He may be my top target overall. Bates is one of the best safeties in the NFL, and it appears he and the Bengals will not reach a deal before he hits free agency. He was franchise tagged this season, so he’s looking for some security. The Falcons can offer him that. Bates is a versatile piece that can play all over the field and transform a defense. Tarvarius Moore out of San Francisco is another sneaky low-cost option who can play a lot of positions, something that should appeal to the Falcons. Taylor Rapp and Jabrill Peppers make sense as well. Bates is looking for a long-term deal, and I’ll give him one.
Jessie Bates signs for four years, $32 million
Overhauled Safety Roster:
S Jessie Bates III
S Kareem Jackson
S Richie Grant
S Jaylinn Hawkins
One man was all it took, in this exercise, we have addressed a ton of issues that have plagued the Falcons for a while. I just wanted to have some fun with it, as this is pretty unrealistic, but could give you an idea of how the Falcons might move if they get aggressive.
Final Roster: 53
QB Desmond Ridder
QB Taylor Heinicke
RB Tyler Allgeier
RB Cordarrelle Patterson
RB Justin JacksonÂ
RB Avery Williams
RB Caleb Huntley
WR Drake London
WR Allen Lazard
WR Ronnie Bell
WR Olamide Zaccheaus
WR Frank Darby
TE Kyle Pitts
TE Darnell Washington
TE MyCole Pruitt
TE Parker Hesse
OL Jake Matthews
OL Nate Davis
OL Drew Dalman
OL Chris Lindstrom
OL Kaleb McGary
OL Elijah Wilkinson
OL Matt Hennessy
OL Jarrett Patterson
OL Ryan Neuzil
DL Grady Jarrett
DL Javon Hargrave
DL Ta’Quon Graham
DL Abdullah Anderson
DL Byron Young
EDGE Lorenzo Carter
EDGE Arnold Ebiketie
EDGE DeAngelo Malone
EDGE Zach Harrison
EDGE Dylan Horton
EDGE Ade Ogundeji
LB David Long
LB Mykal Walker
LB Troy Andersen
LB Nick Herbig
CB AJ Terrell
CB Devon Witherspoon
CB Darren Hall
CB Casey Hayward
CB Greedy Williams
CB Dee Alford
S Jessie Bates III
S Kareem Jackson
S Richie Grant
S Jaylinn Hawkins
K Younghoe Koo
P Bryce Baringer (Drafted Round 7, Pick 226)
LS Liam McCullough
2023 Cap Space Allotted: $86 Million
Quarterback: -$6 million
Running Back: $900k
Wide Receiver: $19.5 million
Tight End: $1.9 million
Offensive Line: $27.5 million
Defensive Line: $12.2 million
EDGE: $5 million
Linebacker: $7 million
Cornerback: $8 million
Safety: $10 million
Photographer: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire
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