PFF Ranks 2 Falcons Among 2022 Top-75 NFL Free Agents

With the Falcons flirting with consecutive top ten picks in the draft for the first time since Thomas Dimitroff selected Jake Matthews and Vic Beasley in back to-back-to drafts, Terry Fontenot is going to have another opportunity to find another franchise cornerstone. Atlanta will also have an extra second-round pick they received from the Titans, which will be at the end of the round but should still net a quality starter. Then there’s the salary cap situation and what to do with Matt Ryan‘s bloated contract. There are many “To Do’s” this offseason for the front office.

Fontenot made his name as Mickey Loomis’ right-hand man, specializing in pro personnel. He will likely have to find bargain deals to round out the roster in 2022 as he did in his first year. Opportunities will present themselves for the staff to upgrade the roster through free agency, but attrition will also happen in-house as well. Atlanta will have several contributors set to hit free agency. According to Pro Football Focus, the Falcons have two of the top-75 pending free agents for the 2022 offseason without considering roster cuts. They’ll be highly sought after in free agency, but will the Falcons be able to afford them?

 

40. LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN, ATLANTA FALCONS

Oluokun leads the way for a very underwhelming free-agent class at off-ball linebacker, though his timing of reaching unrestricted free agency could work out nicely in his favor. This past offseason, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner and subsequently Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard reset the market at the position at just under $20 million per year after years of stagnation. With Oluokun one of the few young players available, a market could develop for him that exceeds expectations.

Strengths:
-Filling against the run
-Identifying routes in his zone
-Speed

Weaknesses:
-Defeating blocks at the second level
-Missed tackles
-Size/bulk

Scheme Fit/Role:
Foyesade Oluokun has impressive speed and more strength than you might expect for a player of his size and he can play multiple linebacker spots, but is at his best when he can run freely to the ball. He would fit in a scheme like Indianapolis and could be an option for a defense improving either side of the linebacker group like the Raiders.”}” data-sheets-userformat=”{“2″:16897,”3”:{“1″:0},”12″:0,”17″:1}” data-sheets-textstyleruns=”{“1”:0}{“1″:18,”2”:{“5″:0}}”>STARTING MLB/WLB: Foyesade Oluokun has impressive speed and more strength than you might expect for a player of his size, and he can play multiple linebacker spots but is at his best when he can run freely to the ball. He would fit in a scheme like Indianapolis’ and could be an option for a defense improving either side of the linebacker group like the Raiders.

Recent Injury History:
Oluokun dealt with several minor injuries in 2020 but has been healthy so far this season.

Contract Projection: Three years, $22.5 million ($7.5M per year, $14 million total guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
An undersized, speedy linebacker, Foyesade Oluokun flashes talent consistently but too often gets swallowed up by blockers the second level or doesn’t quite make the play in coverage. He fits the profile of a linebacker that may eventually put it all together, but he hasn’t got there yet.

 

Foye is the superior linebacker to Deion Jones at this point, but with so much allocated to Jones already, it is unlikely Atlanta will bring the former Yale Bulldog back on a new contract. With Mykal Walker behind him, it should be easier to soften the blow if he walks. Walker isn’t on the level of Oluokun, though. He’s leading the team in tackles and plays a cerebral game, which Pees certainly demands from his players. However, the way to build a contending roster isn’t by distributing precious dollars at a position like off-ball linebacker. However, the other top-75 free agent could be in line for a new contract from Atlanta.

 

61. HB/WR CORDARRELLE PATTERSON, ATLANTA FALCONS

Patterson is attempting to set an NFL record for most positions listed on the depth chart, as he’s the Falcons’ RB2 (though he’s become the RB1, in reality), kick returner and now fifth-string safety. He is in the midst of an incredible breakout year as an offensive weapon, with his 3.13 yards per route run representing the third-best mark in the NFL through Week 12.

Atlanta has scored 22 offensive touchdowns on the season, and Patterson accounts for nine of them despite missing a game due to injury. He may not be able to cash in on a huge deal while being on the wrong side of 30 years old, but he deserves a healthy raise over his $3 million contract signed this past season.

Strengths:
– Receiving skills
– Position versatility
– Natural playmaker with the ball

Weaknesses:
– Can every team maximize him?
– Jack of all trades, master of none

Scheme Fit/Role:
MATCHUP WEAPON: Patterson is a unique player. Not quite a running back and not quite a wide receiver, he can be a problem for defenses in either spot and is good enough at both to move seamlessly between them and exploit resulting mismatches in personnel. He fits with a team that is willing to carve out that role for him.

Recent Injury History:
Patterson suffered an ankle sprain that caused him to miss time in 2021. He has a fairly extensive history of minor injuries throughout his NFL career.

Contract Projection: Two years, $12 million ($6M per year, $8.25M total guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
Patterson was a disappointment as a first-round receiver but has since developed into an elite playmaker on offense as a running-back-turned-matchup-problem. He also adds versatility as a kick returner, though that position is less valuable these days.

 

The 30-year-old former return specialist has completely broken out this season, and the Falcons’ offense clearly runs through him. Credit to the Falcons staff on and off the field for their vision and execution for Patterson, but he may have priced himself out of Atlanta, even if he’s made it clear he would like to stay with the Falcons. If the price is right, expect Fontenot to bring Patterson back but don’t be surprised if they look for a replacement from the draft or free agency.