The Falcons most pressing roster need is quarterback above all else, followed by wide receiver and edge.
Obviously, the entire offseason is going to revolve around what Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris do to attack the quarterback position, but filling out the other holes on the roster is important too.
Zac Robinson is expected to run a lot of 11 personnel, which features three wideouts and something Arthur Smith didn’t deploy a lot of during his tenure in Atlanta. Instead, the former Falcons coach ran more 12 personnel, featuring two tight ends.
The Falcons are going to have to adjust their roster based on the systems in place. With Drake London as the only receiver under contract who has any kind of NFL experience, the club has to add to the position group.
Similarly, Atlanta has a need for edge rushers. The hope is that Arnold Ebiketie will take the next step, but in today’s NFL, the most valuable non-quarterbacks are those who pressure them, so you can never have enough.
The Falcons will have to fill these two voids, and thankfully, both markets are robust with options to fill them.
Free Agents
Danielle Hunter, Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Bryce Huff, Chase Young, Jonathan Greenard, Jadeveon Clowney, Za’Darius Smith, Josh Uche, Leonard Floyd, Andrew Van Ginkel, Denico Autry, Carl Lawson, Derek Barnett, Marcus Davenport
Draft Prospects
Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, Chris Braswell, Bralen Trice, Jonah Elliss, Chop Robinson, Adisa Issac
Trade Targets
Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick
The breadth of talent in the edge market is baffling. The Falcons will have plenty of options, ranging from the best in the game like Danielle Hunter to one-year candidates like Jadeveon Clowney and cheaper options like Derek Barnett and Marcus Davenport.
If the Falcons prefer to find the solution in the draft, there’s a group worth exploring at the 8th overall pick in Dallas Tuner, Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu, or in the later rounds like Bralen Trice and Jonah Elliss, brother of Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss.
The wide receiver market isn’t as plentiful in the free agent market but still offers plenty. The draft class features more than a dozen prospects that should intrigue Atlanta.
Tee Higgins is the top wideout expected to be available in free agency, but Mike Evans, Michael Pittman, Calvin Ridley, Darnell Mooney, Gabe Davis, Tyler Boyd, and Curtis Samuel are attractive targets as well.
What’s even more intriguing is the draft class. Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze could be targeted at the Falcons’ 8th overall pick; both would be incredible additions to Atlanta’s receiving core, but the amount of prospects that will be available on Day 2 is baffling.
The group of WRs in that early to mid Day 2 bucket is flat out loaded. Varying skillsets that consistently find space.
• Roman Wilson
• Ladd McConkey
• Xavier Worthy
• Jacob Cowing
• Ricky Pearsall
• Adonai Mitchell
• Jamari Thrash
• Jha’Quan Jackson
• Troy Franklin
•…— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 22, 2024
The Falcons have two big holes to fill at receiver and edge, but the options are there to fill them as well as the means to do so.
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Photographer: John Korduner/Icon Sportswire
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