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One thing you can't accuse this new Atlanta Falcons front office of is being too aggressive. Some teams get all worked up at the outset of free agency and spend big money, only to see their massive investments wilt and age as well as milk.
Atlanta's division rival the Carolina Panthers may be the best example this year of a team getting ahead of themselves - they spent $120 million on edge rusher Jaelean Phillips - an average even higher than former NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson's new deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
By contrast the Falcons have been very careful when it comes to spending on outside free agents. Their big ticket items have all been internal, with Drake London and Kyle Pitts getting the largest deals and Bijan Robinson up next.
According to an analysis by CBS Sports, Atlanta has spent $91.4 million in free agency this year, which ranks 25th in the NFL. If you find yourself scratching your head trying to understand where all that money went, then you're not alone.
To the Falcons' credit, their most-impactful free agent signing may be Tua Tagovailoa, who they're getting for the veteran minimum after the Miami Dolphins effectively bought out his contract. The former top-five pick will attempt to bring stability to Atlanta's quarterback room this season.
However, the Falcons still have a few roster holes after an offseason in which they were limited in both cap space and draft capital. Atlanta sent its first-round pick to the Rams to move up for James Pearce Jr. in the 2025 draft.
While rookies Avieon Terrell and Zachariah Branch have their own unique gifts, it's not difficult imagining both struggling early in their pro careers due to their lack of size.
The good news is that the front office still has plenty of time and cap space to sign a couple of difference-makers, but they have to start showing some urgency or another 8-9 season will be the best they can hope for.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons near the bottom of NFL in free agent spending this year
Continue reading...
Atlanta's division rival the Carolina Panthers may be the best example this year of a team getting ahead of themselves - they spent $120 million on edge rusher Jaelean Phillips - an average even higher than former NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson's new deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
By contrast the Falcons have been very careful when it comes to spending on outside free agents. Their big ticket items have all been internal, with Drake London and Kyle Pitts getting the largest deals and Bijan Robinson up next.
According to an analysis by CBS Sports, Atlanta has spent $91.4 million in free agency this year, which ranks 25th in the NFL. If you find yourself scratching your head trying to understand where all that money went, then you're not alone.
To the Falcons' credit, their most-impactful free agent signing may be Tua Tagovailoa, who they're getting for the veteran minimum after the Miami Dolphins effectively bought out his contract. The former top-five pick will attempt to bring stability to Atlanta's quarterback room this season.
However, the Falcons still have a few roster holes after an offseason in which they were limited in both cap space and draft capital. Atlanta sent its first-round pick to the Rams to move up for James Pearce Jr. in the 2025 draft.
While rookies Avieon Terrell and Zachariah Branch have their own unique gifts, it's not difficult imagining both struggling early in their pro careers due to their lack of size.
The good news is that the front office still has plenty of time and cap space to sign a couple of difference-makers, but they have to start showing some urgency or another 8-9 season will be the best they can hope for.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons near the bottom of NFL in free agent spending this year
Continue reading...
