As we’ve mentioned repeatedly this spring, the Atlanta Falcons have to focus most of their efforts on their mediocre protection. Thus far, that’s largely what they’ve executed, with their three greatest signings (Leonard Floyd, Divine Deablo, and Mike Hughes) all approaching that aspect of the ball. That ought to proceed, and we might be taking a look at interesting free brokers nonetheless on the market for each time the Falcons discover a option to carve out some extra 2025 cap house.
All that mentioned, the offense just isn’t with out its warts. The group is ready to be closely reliant on Ray-Ray McCloud as their third receiver with no clear, high-end fourth choice, they should improve on Ross Dwelley’s 2024 nothingburger because the group’s third tight finish, and most significantly, they should add a starter or not less than veteran competitors at heart. If the group finds an avenue to somewhat extra cap house—one thing I do know just isn’t precisely a given—one or two of these wants ought to be addressed, and heart kind of has to be.
With that in thoughts, listed here are a number of free brokers the group ought to try, with a bonus participant if the Falcons transfer Kirk Cousins.
C Garrett Bradbury
what you’re getting in Bradbury, and it’s principally Drew Dalman Lite. Bradbury is a greater run blocker than a go protector, like Dalman, however final season he wasn’t near pretty much as good at both of these issues as Dalman was. His observe report is best than these 2024 outcomes, nevertheless, and Dalman’s respectable work in go safety in 2024 was an outlier in his profession. Likelihood is that Bradbury can be a small improve on Dalman by way of his go professional whereas not providing the identical caliber of run blocking acumen, which isn’t any nice shock on condition that Dalman was a real standout in that regard.
Mainly, Bradbury is a sturdy, low-end starter who has had sufficient stable seasons up to now to suppose he might step in and do a reputable job because the group’s heart in 2025 and maybe 2026. The group would signal him anticipating him to imagine the job over incumbents Ryan Neuzil and Jovaughn Gwyn, and know full effectively that it’s unlikely he’ll abruptly morph into an awesome heart. When you’ve the remainder of your line set and competence and the flexibility to keep away from damage thus appear very interesting, Bradbury looks like an excellent match.
C David Andrews
This isn’t the Andrews as he was on the peak of the Patriots dynasty, when he was persistently among the best facilities within the league. His go safety hasn’t been as sharp in recent times and Andrews is each on the incorrect aspect of 30 and coming off an damage that price him all however 4 video games in 2024. You’d be exhausting pressed to argue he’s going to unravel the group’s heart want for 2025, not to mention the following couple of seasons.
However as a possible stopgap starter at finest and competitors for Ryan Neuzil at worst, Andrews gives appreciable attraction. His run blocking remains to be fairly good and he has a observe report of being a greater choice in go safety than both Drew Dalman or Neuzil, even when there was slippage there. His expertise and management expertise, usually vaunted by Patriots coaches and beat writers alike, can be welcome for this offense. And since he’s older and coming off an damage, a short-term pact that prices lower than his ordinary customary appears inside attain.
If the group doesn’t need to decide to a multi-year resolution at heart and don’t like this draft class on the place, Andrews makes quite a lot of sense. I’ll be aware that I wasn’t conscious that he had failed a bodily a short while in the past; he is probably not good to go for a bit and that does add threat to this signing.
TE Eric Saubert
The Falcons have a 3rd tight finish emptiness Nikola Kalinic might or might not be capable of fill. Why not flip to an outdated buddy so as to add competitors?
Saubert was initially a Falcons draft choose, and he’s bounced round within the meantime whereas carving out a task as…effectively, a succesful third tight finish. He’s a sure-handed if occasionally used goal, a succesful sufficient blocker, and a prepared particular teamer who can be an improve over Ross Dwelley, the group’s third choice in 2024. Competitors with the extra receiving-friendly Kalinic would enable the Falcons to doubtlessly preserve the loser of the competitors as apply squad insurance coverage, too.
WR Keenan Allen
Coming off arguably the worst season of his profession and heading into his age 33 season, Allen isn’t having fun with the identical sturdy market he commanded final offseason. If there’s an opportunity to get him signed to a two-year pact with some artistic structuring to restrict the 2025 injury, Allen would add a longtime high-end route runner with vital slot expertise (he performed about 55% of snaps there for the Bears final yr and over 60% in 2022 and 2021 with the Chargers) to a receiving corps that might attain a brand new stage of dominance for Penix.
Is that this a vastly essential signing with McCloud as a advantageous #3 choice and far greater wants elsewhere? No. If Allen lingers in the marketplace and the Falcons have an opportunity to make their offense much more dominant to assist masks a lagging protection, ought to they fight? Sure.
WR David Moore
The Falcons are (depressingly, as soon as once more) on a price range, so we have to have a look at high quality price range choices. The Falcons might do far worse than Moore so as to add skilled, well-rounded veteran assist to a receiving corps gentle on that past their high three guys.
Mainly, Moore can be a sensible addition to permit the Falcons to kick Drake London into the slot, the place he’s a really harmful participant. He’s by no means been a very prolific receiving choice, however as a participant who’s stable in go safety and run blocking whereas producing 351 yards and three touchdowns on 32 catches final yr, Moore might cut up time with Ray-Ray McCloud and work reverse Darnell Mooney when the Falcons need London within the slot. He’s additionally a succesful particular teamer who has some punt return expertise, permitting him to fill a number of completely different niches.
WR Brandon Powell
Powell isn’t a lot of a kick returner—we keep in mind his tenure in Atlanta in that regard—however he’s a rock stable punt returner with sufficient pace to often do enjoyable issues on offense. For those who hadn’t gathered by this record, my concern with the Falcons’ receiving corps is all about what occurs if a starter will get injured and the Falcons need to lean on their inexperienced depth; signing somebody like Powell helps lower than Allen or Moore however does give the group a confirmed returner who can chip in on offense.
The following one is conditional on the Falcons buying and selling Kirk Cousins, in fact.
QB Teddy Bridgewater
I’m an avowed Bridgewater fan. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, however he’s all the time been an correct, good passer who does a pleasant job of avoiding main errors. His finest years are behind him, however Bridgewater is hoping to mount one thing of a comeback, and having him as a veteran mentor for Michael Penix and succesful steward of a weapon-dense offense ought to one thing occur makes a ton of sense in an in any other case fairly barren free company backup market. If Cousins is moved earlier than later, I’d prefer to see the Falcons not less than entertain bringing him in.
