The Falcons don’t have a ton of key pieces hitting free agency, but there are a few notable starters that should be brought back.
Justin Simmons had his moments where his play left a bit to be desired; however, he was overall a net positive. As Bob Barker says, if the price is right, Simmons should be brought back to Atlanta. Mike Hughes should receive another contract as well.
More than anyone, Drew Dalman is the most notable Falcons free agent, and if this report is true, fans can kiss their starting center goodbye. Gregg Rosenthal on the NFL Daily podcast reported that talk around the league is that Dalman will garner a contract that pays him $20 million a year, continuing by saying he doesn’t think the Falcons will be able to retain him.
“Talking to people around the league, he is going to get like a starting offensive lineman type of ‘What? Who got $20 million a year?’ But Drew Dalman will be that guy. He is absolutely getting that. I don’t think the Falcons are going to be able to afford to keep him,” Rosenthal said.
Assuming Dalman does get that number, there’s a 0% chance the Falcons re-sign their fourth-round pick from 2021. That figure would not only reset the center market, but it would eclipse Creed Humphrey’s deal by $2 million per year.
The best player at a specific position is rarely the highest-paid player. It’s almost more important when a player hits free agency and the available players in that cycle.
Drew Dalman is hitting the market at the right time. He’s the top player at his position, and there are multiple teams around the league — Bears, Packers, 49ers, and Chargers — in need of a center. That bodes very well for Dalman; however, is he $2 million per year better than Creed Hunphrey? HELL NO.
I find it incredibly hard to believe that Dalman will garner a deal worth $20 million per year. I projected a three or four-year contract worth $11.5 million per year. Erik McCoy’s deal with the Saints was what I thought was a good ballpark for Drew Dalman, which would make him one of the five highest-paid centers in football.
If the Falcons do let Dalman walk, they’ll have to look for a new starting center, with Ryan Neuzil being a chief candidate to replace him. Neuzil actually played pretty well in Dalman’s absence, but will that quality of play extend over 17 games? I’m not sure.
—
Photographer: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.