The Atlanta Falcons have been clearing cap area to make some noise in free company, however that noise gained’t embody a boisterous cheer for the re-signing of their prime impending free agent.
Per Adam Schefter (by the use of Matt Miller, Twitter/X is damaged), Drew Dalman has signed with the Chicago Bears, as lengthy rumored. The Falcons now have to interchange their beginning middle from the previous three years.
Dalman, 26, was a coveted free agent as a result of he’s youthful, is an elite run blocker on the middle place, and was coming into a market with out numerous different prime choices. His come-and-go consistency with snapping and merely common cross safety are outweighed by these advantages for the Bears, who’re making an attempt to rebuild their offensive line, simply as they have been for a Falcons group that would run just like the wind with Dalman on the pivot. I’m positive the group hoped to maintain him, however reviews in latest weeks indicated they’d be unlikely to take action.
The Bears will take the chance that Dalman’s cross safety is a slight legal responsibility and that his latest harm historical past—he missed 11 video games mixed over the previous two seasons—may develop into a development line. There’s little query they’re getting a high quality participant.
Dalman joined the group as a 2021 fourth spherical choose, and after largely sitting for the 2021 season, took over because the beginning middle in 2022. He’s been the beginning since, apart from when accidents or snapping wildness intruded, and has typically graded out as the perfect run blocking middle within the NFL per Professional Soccer Focus. The attention take a look at confirms that, and for a run-first Falcons group beneath Arthur Smith and one intent on utilizing Bijan Robinson successfully beneath Raheem Morris, that was a godsend.
The Falcons will possible signal a veteran free agent or plunge into the draft to present themselves a starter, or at the very least somebody to compete with Ryan Neuzil, a restricted free agent who now looks like a digital lock to re-sign. Neuzil just isn’t practically the caliber of run blocker that Dalman is however is comparable or higher by way of cross safety and should have a better ceiling to return provided that he’s a latest convert to the place; former late choose Jovaughn Gwyn might additionally combat his means into the combination for a reserve position. Ex-Bears middle Coleman Shelton could be a doable stopgap, Josh Myers could be a pleasant signing and a clear-cut starter, and Bradley Bozeman, Nick Gates, and others would give the Falcons Neuzil competitors if they need him to have an opportunity to get the job however aren’t satisfied he must be given it.
Whereas there are defensive wants all over, middle now turns into the want for an in any other case fairly good Falcons offense, one which has 4 starters locked up alongside their offensive line at guard and sort out. We’ll want Dalman nicely in Chicago, and we hope the Falcons can discover an efficient substitute right here ahead of later.
