As the Falcons’ staff under Raheem Morris comes together, supporters’ imaginations go wild as they explore the draft and free agency options.
Terry Fontenot will have the eighth overall pick, along with a slew of other options, to build for the future. Given the probable run of quarterbacks with the first three picks, Fontenot might land a top five prospect with the eighth pick.
In addition to the draft capital, the Falcons will have approximately $25 million in cap room prior to any transactions. Moving on from Jonnu Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Mike Hughes, and Lorenzo Carter may bring the total to about $45 million. Without accounting for possible cap restructures, that would rank as the league’s tenth highest cap room.
The Falcons have enough financial wiggle room to pursue every important free agent, as Brad Speilberger of PFF suggests, mentioning Atlanta as a free agent landing point for a handful of the best quarterbacks and receivers in the 2018 class.
2. QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings.
Potential landing area(s): Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders
Cousins should be permitted to go on another free agency tour, as he did in 2018, before signing a three-year, fully guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons stand out as a team that took the risk of not having a sure thing at quarterback in 2023, which resulted in head coach Arthur Smith’s firing, and they may be just out of reach for a top talent with the No. 8 overall choice. They could also pair a young rookie with Cousins to start for a year or two.
Pittsburgh has stated that it will bring in competition for Kenny Pickett in 2024, but this is not competition; it is the starting job, therefore Cousins may be too big a fish.
The Raiders also have the 13th overall pick, and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo appears to be on his way out after being benched for rookie Aidan O’Connell. If incoming head coach Antonio Pierce wants to please Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, he might consider making a splash.
The Falcons plan to pursue free agents, draft prospects, and trade candidates at quarterback. An improvement is definitely needed, and Terry Fontenot may wind up swinging more than once.
A two-year deal for Kirk Cousins to team up with someone like J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix would not be the worst thing in the world. In fact, given the possibilities, it could be the best one. The Falcons will most likely require both a stopgap solution and a long-term play.
Cousins is the top quarterback slated to enter the free agent market, and it’s not close. The Falcons might compete now while still laying the groundwork for the future with one of the draft prospects.
63. WR Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
Possible landing spots: Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars.
Davis is a good match in Atlanta because he is a strong run blocker who can also take the top off opposition defences with one of the highest average depths of targets in the NFL, freeing up space for Drake London and Kyle Pitts. The Falcons need another playmaker in the passing game, and Davis contributes even on dropbacks where he is not targeted. Defences were able to stack the box and condense their coverage schemes this season, which was partially due to quarterback play, but Davis would make them pay in 2024.
Jacksonville may part ways with Zay Jones this offseason due to a $8 million price tag after he was extremely inefficient in 2023, so Davis fills the void left by another former Buffalo Bills wide receiver with a different skill set than Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, who will continue to benefit from having field stretchers opposite them.
Gabe Davis is an unappreciated Bills player. Without him, defences can focus on Stefon Diggs. His job is important in Buffalo, and he might provide comparable relief for the Falcons and Drake London.
68. QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Possible landing spots: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos.
The Falcons connection made more sense when former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith was the head coach, but he remains a bridge option, similar to Andy Dalton’s two-year agreement with the Carolina Panthers last offseason.
Denver may be content with Jarrett Stidham, whom they signed to a lucrative contract this summer, as a bridge to a rookie or backup to a veteran in the mould of Kirk Cousins, but Sean Payton will not sit on his hands.
If Kirk Cousins isn’t a viable interim veteran, the Falcons don’t have many appealing possibilities, and Ryan Tannehill is no exception. The veteran hasn’t had a successful season since former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was his coordinator in Tennessee.
With the Titans, he had a career resurgence in 2019 and 2020. 2021 was less successful, but still productive. 2022 was really dismal. The Falcons would be better off with Russell Wilson, who has produced more recently and is less expensive than Tannehill.
His former teammates have talked highly of his competitive drive. His versatility and willingness to play any role should appeal to the Falcons, who have a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson.
