The Atlanta Falcons are going to have a ton of options during NFL free agency. As of right now, they boast the second-most cap room in the NFL at $66.72 million after releasing quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Obviously, quarterback will be a major talking point heading into free agency and the NFL Draft later in the spring. There’s a chance Atlanta will simply roll with youngster Desmond Ridder as its starter next season. The team has also been linked to a superstar quarterback in that of Lamar Jackson in trade talks.
What we do know is that Atlanta likely won’t be looking for a stopgap quarterback in free agency after the failed Mariota experiment. Instead, the team should be looking at young guys who can contribute both in 2023 and moving forward. It’s in this that we look at five Atlanta Falcons free agent targets to help a team that won just seven games a season ago expedite its rebuild.
Related: Atlanta Falcons continue to be rumored as likely trade landing spot for superstar QB
Azeez Al-Shaair, linebacker
After coming over on a one-year contract last offseason, Rashaan Evans struggled big time in coverage for the Atlanta Falcons. Opposing quarterbacks posted a 77.6% completion and 112.6 passer rating when targeting him. That’s just not sustainable on a defense without a consistent pass rush.
This is where the 25-year-old Al-Shaiir comes into play. The former undrafted free agent from Florida Atlantic has been stellar with the San Francisco 49ers over the past couple seasons. In 22 starts during that span, he’s recorded 78 tackles (10 for loss) and an interception. He boasts a tremendous amount of upside and could be a key cog over the long-term. Simply put, he’s the type of player Atlanta should be targeting for new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
Related: Top 2023 NFL free agents
Arden Key, EDGE
Speaking of high-upside players at a need position, Key has proven to be a solid pass rusher over the past couple seasons. Last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the former LSU star recorded 15 quarterback hits and 4.5 sacks in part-time action. Believe it or not, he’s also still only 26 years old and has double-digit sack potential.
Getting to the quarterback was an obvious issue for Atlanta last season. It put up just 21 sacks with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett leading the charge (six). To put this into perspective, Key would have ranked second behind Jarrett on the Atlanta Falcons in both sacks and quarterback hits.
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Terence Steele, offensive tackle
The Falcons have an obvious decision to make with impending free agent right tackle Kaleb McGary. The former first-round pick has been inconsistent in four seasons as a full-time starter. He yielded six sacks a season ago and is projected by Spotrac to earn nearly $18 million annually in NFL free agency.
That’s where another young and high-upside player in Steele could make sense for Atlanta. The former Texas Tech standout started 13 games at right tackle for the Dallas Cowboys last season, giving up just two sacks in the process. He’s likely going to be cheaper than McGary on the market and is only 25 years old.
Related: Bold predictions for NFL free agency
Jamel Dean, cornerback
Sure, pass rush was an issue for the Falcons last season. But outside of Isaiah Oliver, cornerback play wasn’t great. Opposing quarterbacks threw 26 touchdowns against 10 interceptions against this unit. While retaining Oliver in NFL free agency should be in the cards, adding another long-term option also makes sense.
Dean, 26, was the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers most consistent cover guy last season, giving up a mere 86.0 QB rating when targeted. Back in 2021, that number stood at an astonishingly low 50.0. Dean is going to demand a nice payday in free agency, but he’s more than worth it for what the Falcons should be looking at.
Miles Sanders, running back
Atlanta has a dual threat running back in that of Cordarrelle Patterson. Though, injuries plagued him a season ago. It also likes what youngster Tyler Allgeier can bring to the table after a 1,000-yard season.
With all of that said, you don’t pass up on the opportunity to land a Pro Bowl running back who is just now entering his prime. Sanders, 25, ran for 1,269 yards at a clip of 4.9 yards while scoring 11 touchdowns for the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles last season. The former Penn State star would be a standout in Atlanta, creating a three-headed running back monster for whoever is under center. It just makes too much sense.
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