Atlanta actually has some breathing room when it comes to salary cap space, and they could get even more room to operate if they trade Deion Jones after June 1st. It’s clear there are still multiple holes on this team, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. And even though it’s late in the process, a load of talented free agents remain available in the trenches. I’ll be covering the defense later this week.
C J.C. Tretter
If the Falcons want to move on from Matt Hennessy, maybe they can steal another impact center from the Cleveland Browns. Tretter has been one of the better centers in the league for a few years, and although he isn’t the player Alex Mack was when he hit free agency, he’s definitely an upgrade in Atlanta.
G Quinton Spain
Spain was one of the better pieces of a patchwork Bengals O-Line that Joe Burrow drug to the Super Bowl, and he’s still a player you can build around moving forward at left guard. Here’s what Alex had to say about Spain:
Spain’s career has been an interesting one. After four seasons in Tennessee that coincided with Arthur Smith’s time with the Titans, he signed a one-year deal with the Bills. Spain had a good year with Buffalo in 2019, in which he didn’t allow a single sack, but internal differences between Spain and Sean McDermott resulted in the former West Virginia Mountaineer being released and subsequently picked up by the Bengals, where he started eight games.
In 2021, Spain returned to Cincinnati, and he was undoubtedly the best offensive lineman protecting Joe Burrow. It’s actually a surprise Spain is still on the free-agent market. He’s not a Pro Bowler, but he performed perfectly acceptable at left guard for the Bengals. Jackson Carman will fill Spain’s position this year for Cincy, but the Falcons could be a terrific landing spot for him. Atlanta will have an open competition along the offensive front this offseason. If Spain competes with Jalen Mayfield and company, the veteran will likely come out on top.
G/T Ereck Flowers
After being widely considered one of the biggest busts in recent draft memory, Ereck Flowers has actually become a somewhat respectable guard after flunking out at tackle for the Giants. He would be a decent low-cost pickup, and he’s still only 28-years-old with tackle flexibility in a pinch.
G/T Daryl Williams
Another guy with tackle flexibility, Daryl Williams’ best football is probably behind him, but he would be an upgrade at swing tackle if the Falcons aren’t comfortable with Germain Ifedi or any of their undrafted free agent options.
G/T Tyrell Crosby
Crosby is interesting. He wasn’t very effective with the Lions, but he’s a decent athlete who can play all over the offensive line at 26-years-old. I think he’s a guy who could be a swing tackle at worse with the potential to start at left guard. Not being able to carve out a starting role on Detroit’s offensive line is a tough look, though.
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Photographer: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire
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