Atlanta Falcons Blog: Calvin Ridley, Cordarrelle Paterson and many other difficult decisions await them

It’s going to be better than it was. Terry Fontenot, general manger, said that it was quite obvious.

Is it possible to handle everything? Atlanta FalconsThis offseason? Most likely not.

That’s the truth for almost every NFL team and absolutely one with the salary-cap conundrums the Falcons have.

However, it should be more flexible than the last season when Atlanta had to restructure and trade, cut pay and outright cut players in order to sign its rookies.

“Still some constraints,” Fontenot said. “But we just have to look at every player and every contract and do the best job we can. We know that competition is necessary and we will work hard to make this an even better offseason.

“There are going to be challenges every year with the cap, but we just have to make the right decisions, and the players we bring in, make sure we have clear visions for them and do the best job we can.”

This worked in some cases last year (Cordarrelle Patterson, Erik Harris, Duron Harmon) and didn’t work as well in others (Mike Davis, Jonathan Bullard). The Falcons have to evaluate the team’s potential and make important decisions about the franchise’s future going into 2022.

Locate a rush for a pass

Atlanta could move in any direction, and there will be improvement in this offseason. The front seven, particularly the pass rush, is the most problematic.

No player had greater than Dante Fowler Jr.’s 4.5 sacks and only one, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, had double-digit quarterback hits (12). The Falcons’ 18 sacks were worst in the league — by 11 sacks — and made contact with the quarterback 135 times. Too often, opposing quarterbacks were able to take advantage of ample time and have clean pockets.

The change you see is a mixture of everything. The only edge rusher that looks like a sure bet to make a comeback is Adetokunbo Ogundeji— Started 11 games and had just one sack, one recovery of a fumble and one pass defense.

Fowler is the only edge rusher who is a free agent or a pending free agent. On the defensive line, it’s not much clearer. Jarrett continues to be a cornerstone of the defense line, but Jarrett’s future may be in doubt as the team and Jarrett must begin to discuss whether they wish to extend their relationship beyond 2022, which is the last year of his contract.

Rookie Ta’Quon GrahamWhile he started to play more, it was still a mystery what he could bring to the table. Marlon DavidsonIt is on a fair contract (just below $1.9million cap hit), but does not have any guaranteed money. Tyeler DavisonHe was playing less and less each season, so Atlanta could save $3.8million by releasing him.

There are many veteran edge rushers that could be found in high-cost alternatives such as Haason ReddickAnd Emmanuel OgbahOlder options that are less expensive to sign, but still offer an upgrade such as Akiem HicksAnd K.J. Wright. Then there’s the draft, where a player such as Purdue’s George Karlaftis or Michigan’s David Ojabo on the edge or Texas A&M’s DeMarvin Leal on the interior could make a lot of sense for Atlanta in the first round.

Whatever the Falcons do, Atlanta would be very surprised if it reached training camp without clear leadership in the front seven.

Figure out Matt Ryan’s contract situation

Atlanta’s offseason plans hinge on how it manages quarterbacks. Matt Ryan. It makes sense that the Falcons keep him for next year, but his nearly $49million cap hit is too high for them unless they cut the roster elsewhere.

Ryan has no clear plan for the future. AJ McCarron, Josh RosenAnd Feleipe Franks were his backups last season — it’s tough to see Atlanta looking elsewhere at this point. The Falcons must decide whether Ryan’s contract should be restructured, extended, or voidable. Ryan will still be on the future books.

The Falcons’ ability to free up space could impact which free agents they bring back, and which they pursue outside of big names.

Ryan will receive a $7.5 Million roster bonus by the third day of the new season. It is reasonable to assume that any decision regarding Ryan’s handling would have been made by then.

The receiver position

Arthur Smith, Falcons coach, talked about Ryan. He mentioned how Ryan has performed without the usual level of talent he had when he was outside the team with Roddy White. Julio Jones and/or Calvin Ridley.

The receiver position could see a major overhaul. Ridley’s situation — he stepped away on Halloween to work on his mental health — remains the biggest question. Fontenot and Smith didn’t offer any answers to this question, perhaps because there aren’t yet any.

Ridley was given the space that he needed by the Falcons. This should be celebrated. Ridley and Frank Darby, who ran 12 routes last season, are the only members of this year’s 53-man roster under contract. Atlanta signed receivers to the practice squad Chad HansenAnd Austin Trammellfutures contracts. Both have potential but neither is a breakout star.

The rest of the free agents are a mixture of both restricted and unrestricted.Russell Gage, Tajae Sharpe) and restricted (Olamide Zaccheaus, Christian Blake). Sharpe and Gage are two of the best men to watch. Sharpe is a great option as a No. 4, or No. Gage is currently the 5th receiver.

Gage indicated that Atlanta would be interested in Gage’s return if he was available. What happens with Ridley could determine whether that happens. Atlanta might decide to add a No. Gage and a player of the 1-type receiver, Atlanta may not be able or able to afford them. If it is not, or if the Falcons target an early draft receiver as a potential No. Gage could be worth trying to bring back.

This is where the free-agency class is strong, possibly leading to a prestigious title Davante Adams, Allen Robinson II, Chris GodwinMike Williams. Below that is the tier, which includes Christian Kirk, DJ Chark Jr. Gage could also be a possibility.

With their current roster, the Falcons are likely to be looking at depth receivers. A draft deep at receiver should also be held, where a pick between Rounds 1 and 3 could make a significant impact. The top names here are Alabama’s Jameson Williams (who has a torn ACL), USC’s Drake London and the Ohio State duo of Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Offensive line competition

Atlanta is home to a lot of people in terms of body count. But is there competition? The Falcons need competition. Chris Lindstrom is set at right guard, and unless the Falcons decide to move on from Jake Matthews’ $23,689,200 cap hit (where they wouldn’t save That much before June 1), he’s set at left tackle. Matthews performed well enough to keep him. Why add more problems to a roster already full?

Anywhere else? They are in dire need of help. Jalen MayfieldHe had a difficult first year as he was left guard. We hope he develops a full offseason understanding and appreciation of the inside and outside. Matt HennessyWas inconsistent in the center. Can last year’s fourth-round pick, Drew DalmanAre you trying to push them or supplant their authority? Maybe. They need an interior lineman and it would be a good idea to search for free agency.

The Falcons were not given much relief in cutting right tackle Kaleb McGaryHis base salary ($1,894,875) is fully guaranteed so it makes sense to keep McGary and bring in someone else to push him. Worst case, McGary becomes Atlanta’s swing tackle this year. They bring in the right people to help McGary improve.

This is another area where free agency could be an option. However, cap constraints could make it difficult. So this might be a spot to draft a midround pick. There are options if Atlanta wants to add a tackle in the draft. However, it is unlikely that Alabama tackle Evan Neal would go up to No. 8) where a player such as Mississippi State’s Charles Cross or a player with positional flexibility, such as N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu, might fit what Atlanta wants.

They make their own roster decisions

Atlanta’s roster will dictate a lot of this.

“The best form of free agency is developing and signing your own players, because you’re not guessing,” Fontenot said. “We know exactly who they are in the building. So that’s important.”

It will be difficult to make decisions if you consider market value, the Falcons’ value positions, and the cap. Atlanta’s top free agents are Gage, linebacker Foye Oluokun, kicker Younghoe KooPatterson. Koo is a restricted free agent, and the Falcons would be wise to either give him a tender (perhaps a second-round tender) or negotiate a long-term deal with one of the NFL’s top kickers.

The rest of the details are still a little question. Patterson expressed his desire to return, both in words and in his cleats. However, he could be eligible for a larger payday than Atlanta can offer. Oluokun, who expressed a desire for a return, may also be open to many suitors.

The Falcons are also looking at players who may not be obvious choices. Atlanta could easily bring back Harmon or Harris as a safety pair. Jaylinn HawkinsCompete with Richie Grant. It would be simple to see Atlanta bring the cornerback back Fabian MoreauIf the price was right, the same applies to any of the rotating outside linebackers.

It might be the decision of who to move on from that is more difficult. Davis, signed to be Atlanta’s top back, had 138 carries for 503 yards and three touchdowns. His cap hit is $3.25 million, but the Falcons could save $2.5 million by releasing him. Cornerback Kendall SheffieldHe barely played last season, and has a cap hit of $2.8 million. If he is let go, he would have $2.54million in savings.

Linebacker Deion Jones has a cap hit just over $20 million, but don’t expect him to go anywhere unless Atlanta trades him (and even then, that might be unlikely). His $9.64 million base salary is guaranteed, and even after June 1, the Falcons would save only a little over $1 million on next year’s cap.

These decisions are not easy. Fontenot and Smith face a difficult few months ahead. Atlanta will be watching how they manage the offseason after their first season together.