The Falcons could be primed for a big free agency, something they haven’t had since we started this website. I might disagree with PFF’s overall rankings, but it’s encouraging to see some of the names on this list:
Will Lamar Jackson stay in Baltimore?
Landing spots for PFF’s Top-50 free agents ⬇️https://t.co/DvObu25wZA
— PFF (@PFF) February 27, 2023
Some Falcons fans will probably be upset to see that Lamar Jackson is projected to return to the Ravens, but the Falcons still find themselves with a good haul:
4. S JESSIE BATES III
2023 team prediction: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have a need at safety, and Bates could be a good fit, especially since they hired Ryan Nielsen, the New Orleans Saints‘ co-defensive coordinator in 2022. Richie Grant is a solid safety for Atlanta, and the Falcons move him all around the field, but they could upgrade Jaylinn Hawkins‘ spot, as he has never graded above 60.0 in his career. Nielsen was part of a Saints coaching staff that always had quality safeties on the roster, such as Marcus Maye, Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Williams, Vonn Bell and Malcolm Jenkins. Bates can step into Williams’ previous role at free safety, and he also has the capability to play in the box and succeed in Atlanta.
31. EDGE JADEVEON CLOWNEY
2023 team prediction: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were a bottom-two team in sacks in 2022. They really need to acquire some pass rushers, and adding a reliable stop-gap option in Clowney would bring some juice to that group while also allowing them to develop younger players behind him. Clowney is coming off a down year in the pass-rushing department, only totaling 29 pressures and two sacks, but a change of scenery could allow him to thrive again, similar to what happened in his first year in Cleveland. He could also be a good veteran presence to some of the Falcons’ younger defenders.
38. T KALEB MCGARY, ATLANTA FALCONS
2023 team prediction: Atlanta Falcons
McGary’s career arc is similar to Jack Conklin, as he was a first-round pick whose fifth-year option was declined by the team that drafted him, before posting the best season of his career in his contract year. McGary recorded a 91.6 run-blocking grade (second) and an 86.6 overall PFF grade (fourth-best). Due to Atlanta not having a veteran quarterback on the books, they should give their young quarterback a reliable tackle. McGary and Chris Lindstrom together could be the best run-blocking guard-tackle duo in the league.
If I’m the Falcons, I try to add someone like Javon Hargrave, who PFF has going to the Chicago Bears. If you bring in all of those pieces and some wide receiver talent, you’re looking at a really solid free agent class with building blocks on both sides of the ball. That could be enough to get this team to the postseason for the first time since 2017.
—
Photographer: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.