Terry Fontenot hasn’t had a lot of success in the draft, and the Falcons don’t have many position groups that are among the best in the league. But if there’s one area that’s been a strong suit for nearly a half-decade, it’s the offensive line, in large part due to the development of Fontenot’s 2021 fourth-round selection Drew Dalman.
The former Stanford Cardinal has blossomed into one of the top centers in the league alongside All-Pro right guard Chris Lindstrom, giving the Falcons offensive line unit invaluable chemistry along the interior. The two are extremely athletic and elite run blockers, which is a primary reason for the Falcons successful rushing attack over the years.
Unfortunately, it’s now time for Dalman to get a hefty raise, with some expecting he sniff $20 million per season in free agency, perhaps even resetting the market for centers.
Drew Dalman is nowhere near the best center in football, but that’s not how NFL contracts work. Oftentimes, it’s even more important when a player hits free agency, and Dalman is hitting free agency as the best player at his position by a healthy margin. That’s going to lead to a bidding war, one the Falcons probably won’t be able to afford, given their standing with the salary cap entering the offseason and other needs.
“Drew is a UFA. We know he’s a really good player. He’s been a big part of our offensive line for a long time. But Drew, or any other unrestricted free agent, we have to have those conversations internally”
The Falcons are entering the offseason around $5 million in the red. They will be able to get into the green pretty easily with some cuts and restructures, but even in a best case scenario, they’ll likely only be able to afford one premier free agent. That could end up being Drew Dalman, but the market will likely determine his fate in Atlanta.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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