The Falcons have several marquee free agents set to hit the open market, including a pair of former All-Pros in Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons.
Both were thought to be acquisitions that would put the Falcons over the top, and to varying degrees, both failed to deliver. Judon was much less productive than Simmons, but both could be brought back if the price is right.
They shouldn’t be Terry Fontenot’s chief concern, though. The Falcons’ top free agent priority this offseason is Drew Dalman, who is going to garner plenty of interest in free agency if Atlanta let’s it get that far.
For instnace, Â Pro Football Focus pundit Mason Cameron dubbed the Bears the best landing spot for him in free agency.
“An early season ankle injury knocked Dalman out of the lineup for an extended period, but he returned to produce at a high level, typical of his resume,” Cameron wrote. “He generated a 78.8 PFF overall grade in his nine games in 2024. Dalman made strides in pass protection this past season, posting the lowest pressure rate of his career (3.7%).
“With Coleman Shelton’s short-term deal manning the middle of this offensive line set to expire, new Bears head coach Ben Johnson may opt to replicate the success he found in Detroit with All-Pro center Frank Ragnow.”
With Ben Johnson in Chicago, Dalman would make a lot of sense, but the Bears aren’t the only potential suitor. There is a half of a dozen teams, including the Packers, 49ers, etc., who could be in the free agent market for a center.
More competition means a potential bidding war, which would obviously not be in the best interest of the Falcons. Dalman might not be an All-Pro center. He leaves something to be desired in pass protection, but supply and demand will dictate his market. He’s hitting free agency at the right time, but the Falcons can’t let their starting center out of the building.
—
Photographer: Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.