PFF’s top 10 free agents at positions of need for Falcons in 2024

For the first time in quite a while, the Falcons participated in free agency with no financial restrictions this past offseason; it netted a haul of free agents.

Jessie Bates, David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, and Calais Campbell headlined the class. They also extended Chris Lindstrom, making him the highest-paid guard in the league. In total, the club spent upwards of $250 million last offseason, and it looks like the spending party will continue in 2024.

As of right now, Over The Cap has the Falcons sitting with around $50 million in cap space, which could be about $10 million higher if Atlanta moves on from Taylor Heinicke and Mike Hughes. It’s making for another exciting free agency period for fans, and the upcoming class is star-studded.

Pro Football Focus just recently released their top 10 free agents at each position, here are those players at positions of need for the Falcons:

Quarterback

1. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
2. Josh Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings
3. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
4. Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
5. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
7. Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
8. Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
9. Teddy Bridgewater, Detroit Lions
10. Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants

I only see two of these guys as potential Falcons targets — Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill. Tearing his Achilles complicates things, but Cousins was completing nearly 70% of his throws and had thrown 18 touchdown passes to five interceptions before the Week 8 injury.

It’s also a seamless fit for Arthur Smith’s system with play-action elements in the passing game, which is why Tannehill also makes sense. He’s familiar with Arthur Smith and will cost considerably less than Cousins. It’s not an ideal situation, but I’d rather either of those veterans than Desmond Ridder.

Wide Receiver

1. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
3. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
5. Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
7. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
9. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
10. D.J. Chark, Carolina Panthers

Next up: Odell Beckham Jr. (BAL), Josh Reynolds (DET), Noah Brown (HOU), Curtis Samuel (WSH), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN), K.J. Osborn (MIN)

Even though the Falcons drafted Drake London 8th overall a couple of years ago, in today’s NFL, teams need multiple reliable pass catchers. With Jonnu Smith and Kyle Pitts in the fold, the Falcons don’t need to spend big money on a WR2, but it could elevate the offense to new heights if they do.

A guy like Darnell Mooney could be intriguing for Atlanta or a field stretcher like DJ Chark. Mike Evans is another name that fits the mold of receivers that the Falcons have targeted. Regardless of who it is or where they come from, the Falcons will be in the wideout market this offseason.

Edge Defender

1. Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
3. Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
4. Chase Young, San Francisco 49ers
5. Bryce Huff, New York Jets
6. Jonathan Greenard, Houston Texans
7. Za’Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns
8. Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills
9. Jadeveon Clowney, Baltimore Ravens
10. Josh Uche, New England Patriots

Next up: Andrew Van Ginkel (MIA), Carl Lawson (NYJ), Brandon Graham (PHI), Denico Autry (TEN), Dorance Armstrong (DAL), Mario Edwards Jr. (SEA), Marcus Davenport (MIN)

Other than quarterback, there’s not a more pressing need than a dominant edge defender for the Falcons. Every team will covet these guys and many won’t even hit the open market, so Terry Fontenot will have to allocate a decent portion of the cap space to this area.

There’s something for everyone here. I prefer someone like Bryce Huff or Josh Uche, who are young and ascending talents that haven’t even hit their primes yet. Guys like Josh Allen, Brian Burns, and Danielle Hunter are pipe dreams. I’d be shocked if they became available.

Though he’s older, Denico Autry is an interesting target that will require significantly less of a financial commitment. The Falcons can’t go wrong with many of these guys.

Cornerback

1. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
2. L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders
4. Chidobe Awuzie, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts
6. Stephon Gilmore, Dallas Cowboys
7. Steven Nelson, Houston Texans
8. Adoree’ Jackson, New York Giants
9. Sean Murphy-Bunting, Tennessee Titans
10. Tavierre Thomas, Houston Texans

I think the Falcons should prioritize bringing Jeff Okudah back because I don’t think it’ll take a major contract and the fit has been great between the two sides. He and A.J. Terrell form a physical corner duo that Atlanta can build around. If that’s not the case, there’s plenty of talent in the free agent pool.

Kenny Moore II and L’Jarius Sneed are two guys, in particular, that I would have no problem spending big money on, but I still think rewarding Okudah is the path Terry Fontenot takes this offseason.

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