Coming into the offseason, the Falcons had holes at the most important positions in the sport — quarterback, wide receiver, EDGE, and cornerback.
It was dominated by quarterback talk, and rightfully so. It’s the most important position in the game, and the Falcons haven’t had decent play at the position in years.
Terry Fontenot filled it as well as he possibly could given the circumstances, landing Kirk Cousins in free agency. Atlanta’s GM bolstered wide receiver too, inking Darnell Mooney to a three-year deal.
At the opening bell of the tampering period, the Falcons had filled their two most pressing roster needs. However, they’re far from the only ones.
When the club acquired Kirk Cousins, it signaled to the rest of the league that the Falcons believed they were contenders. The window is officially open. To maximize that window, Atlanta has to put together the best possible roster, and that means improving the defensive side of the ball… a lot.
As of right now, Raheem Morris’ defense looks a lot like the defenses Matt Ryan had to deal with during his decade-long tenure, and if the Falcons don’t add some talent, the results will be the same with Kirk Cousins.
Thankfully, the team recognizes its roster needs. The two most glaring holes at this point in the offseason are corner and an edge defender, which Morris acknowledged at the annual owner’s meetings in Orlando.
Raheem Morris says the Falcons will add young corners, calls it “an area of need.”
Also said Atlanta needs a pass rusher. pic.twitter.com/f41jQmioOo
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) March 26, 2024
The Falcons were in on Montez Sweat, Haason Reddick, Danielle Hunter, and other marquee pass rushers but have come away empty-handed thus far. Fontenot and Morris can’t be satisfied with what’s currently on the roster in Arnold Ebiketie, DeAngelo Malone, and Lorenzo Carter. That’s a bottom-five unit in the league.
The cornerback room is at least in better shape with A.J. Terrell in the fold. Mike Hughes, Dee Alford, and Clark Phillips aren’t terrible options, but in today’s NFL, defenses need three starting corners, which would mean the Falcons have a depth issue.
I wouldn’t expect a blockbuster move to fill either void, but a notable move or two is coming down the pike.
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Photographer: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
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