The Falcons face a big offseason ahead of them.
As the draft and free agency approaches, Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot will be responsible with filling out the roster in positions of need, such as cornerback, wide receiver, and edge.
More significantly, the incoming head coach and general manager will need to find an upgrade at quarterback. Desmond Ridder is not in the plans, thus the remedy will have to come from outside. The Falcons have sufficient cap room and draft resources to pursue a range of possibilities.
Before anything else, Fontenot and Morris, together with their respective staffs, will evaluate the current roster and upcoming free agents. So, first, let’s play a quick game of Buy or Sell.
Calais Campbell plays defensive end.
Campbell, in his 16th season in the NFL, was tied for the club lead in sacks with 6.5, his highest total since 2019. He has surpassed the 100-sack threshold and is preparing to test free agency. Campbell started all 17 games, adding significant value on and off the field. If Arthur Smith and Ryan Nielsen remained in their posts, he was considered to be a top candidate for a new contract. That is no longer the case, but it does not change my preference.
Buy
Bud Dupree, Edge
Dupree was tied with Campbell for the team’s sack lead. He had his finest season since 2020 after signing a one-year contract worth $2.5 million with the Falcons. There is no doubt that the Falcons need to enhance the position. It could potentially be the most strong market in recent memory, with both well-known brands and less expensive but still productive alternatives. Free agents, trade targets, and draft prospects can help fill the vacuum. The Falcons should get a few of them.
Sell Jeff Okudah, cornerback.
After Okudah’s first few starts, many Falcons supporters were ready to extend him, and they were correct. Okudah, on the other hand, had the same challenges that he has faced throughout his career: inconsistency and injury. He eventually got benched in favour of Clark Phillips, a rookie fifth-round pick. Okudah’s prospects of returning are slim.
Sell
Mack Hollins, wide receiver, was brought in as the WR2 behind Drake London. Coming off a spectacular year in Las Vegas, Hollins only had 18 receptions for 251 yards after racking up over 700 yards on 57 catches with the Raiders the previous year. Despite the Falcons’ terrible quarterback play, he is unlikely to return. Perhaps his special team’s value gets him another contract.
Sell Kentavius Street, a defensive tackle.
The Falcons acquired Street from the Eagles, and he made 14 tackles in five games. In 2022, he set a career best with eight quarterback hits for the Saints. The Falcons may want to re-sign the sixth-year defence as a depth piece, which I would fully support.
Buy
Cordarrelle Patterson, a running back, had career years in 2021 and 2022. The hope was that would continue in 2023, but he only had 50 carries and nine receptions, his lowest total since 2015. Patterson has a job in this league, but it should not be with the Falcons, no matter how popular he is among fans.
Sell
MyCole Pruitt plays tight end.
Pruitt may follow Arthur Smith, his former head coach, to Pittsburgh. His nine-catch, 110-yard stat line from 2023 will be insufficient for the Falcons to sign him to a new contract.
Sell
The Falcons face a big offseason ahead of them.
As the draft and free agency approaches, Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot will be responsible with filling out the roster in positions of need, such as cornerback, wide receiver, and edge.
More significantly, the incoming head coach and general manager will need to find an upgrade at quarterback. Desmond Ridder is not in the plans, thus the remedy will have to come from outside. The Falcons have sufficient cap room and draft resources to pursue a range of possibilities.
Before anything else, Fontenot and Morris, together with their respective staffs, will evaluate the current roster and upcoming free agents. So, first, let’s play a quick game of Buy or Sell.
Calais Campbell plays defensive end.
Campbell, in his 16th season in the NFL, was tied for the club lead in sacks with 6.5, his highest total since 2019. He has surpassed the 100-sack threshold and is preparing to test free agency. Campbell started all 17 games, adding significant value on and off the field. If Arthur Smith and Ryan Nielsen remained in their posts, he was considered to be a top candidate for a new contract. That is no longer the case, but it does not change my preference.
Buy
Bud Dupree, Edge
Dupree was tied with Campbell for the team’s sack lead. He had his finest season since 2020 after signing a one-year contract worth $2.5 million with the Falcons. There is no doubt that the Falcons need to enhance the position. It could potentially be the most strong market in recent memory, with both well-known brands and less expensive but still productive alternatives. Free agents, trade targets, and draft prospects can help fill the vacuum. The Falcons should get a few of them.
Sell Jeff Okudah, cornerback.
After Okudah’s first few starts, many Falcons supporters were ready to extend him, and they were correct. Okudah, on the other hand, had the same challenges that he has faced throughout his career: inconsistency and injury. He eventually got benched in favour of Clark Phillips, a rookie fifth-round pick. Okudah’s prospects of returning are slim.
Sell
Mack Hollins, wide receiver, was brought in as the WR2 behind Drake London. Coming off a spectacular year in Las Vegas, Hollins only had 18 receptions for 251 yards after racking up over 700 yards on 57 catches with the Raiders the previous year. Despite the Falcons’ terrible quarterback play, he is unlikely to return. Perhaps his special team’s value gets him another contract.
Sell Kentavius Street, a defensive tackle.
The Falcons acquired Street from the Eagles, and he made 14 tackles in five games. In 2022, he set a career best with eight quarterback hits for the Saints. The Falcons may want to re-sign the sixth-year defence as a depth piece, which I would fully support.
Buy
Cordarrelle Patterson, a running back, had career years in 2021 and 2022. The hope was that would continue in 2023, but he only had 50 carries and nine receptions, his lowest total since 2015. Patterson has a job in this league, but it should not be with the Falcons, no matter how popular he is among fans.
Sell
MyCole Pruitt plays tight end.
Pruitt may follow Arthur Smith, his former head coach, to Pittsburgh. His nine-catch, 110-yard stat line from 2023 will be insufficient for the Falcons to sign him to a new contract.
Sell
Van Jefferson, Wide Receiver
Van Jefferson was acquired in a midseason trade with the Rams, so Zac Robinson may value the familiarity. With Drake London on the roster, his speed should pique the Falcons’ interest. He only made 12 catches in 12 games, but it was with Arthur Smith calling the plays. In a time of crisis, Jefferson appears to be capable of returning.
Van Jefferson was acquired in a midseason trade with the Rams, so Zac Robinson may value the familiarity. With Drake London on the roster, his speed should pique the Falcons’ interest. He only made 12 catches in 12 games, but it was with Arthur Smith calling the plays. In a time of crisis, Jefferson appears to be capable of returning.
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