The Falcons' roster needs to be improved, and the team has plenty of money to spend on free agents. Yet, when free agency starts today, the competition will be great for a pool of talent that isn't deep.

"You go through the process year-in and year-out coveting certain players, and in the final hours, it might all be for naught," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "That's a little discouraging."

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Among the big-name NFL free agents is Cowboys running back Julius Jones.

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Also available is Patriots safety Asante Samuel.

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With the salary cap expected to increase from $109 to $116 million, teams have more money to re-sign their own potential free agents, shrinking the market for talent-strapped, ready-to-spend teams like Atlanta ($17 million under the cap). Other teams have more money to spend (Tampa Bay will be $44 million under the salary cap), fueling the competition for players.

For those players whose contracts expire, that's a good thing. They're about to cash in, even though they might not have been starters or full-time players, such as San Diego running back Michael Turner and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams.

Both could be targets of the Falcons.

The Falcons want to bolster both positions, and Turner and Williams are among the top players available. The Falcons also hope to land a free safety to replace free agent Chris Crocker, and Cincinnati's Madieu Williams and the New York Giants' Gibril Wilson could be wooed.

Signing Turner or any other potential starting tailback (such as Dallas' Julius Jones) would trigger the release of veteran Warrick Dunn, whose style doesn't fit offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's smash-mouth scheme. Adding a tailback also would signal the Falcons targeting another position with the No. 3 pick in the April draft.

"I know that we've earmarked some areas for the free-agency period," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Then we'll piggy back that into what we do in the draft."

The Falcons also could get involved in trade talks, but likely not at the outset of free agency. The team has listened to offers for cornerback DeAngelo Hall. Jacksonville defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, Detroit defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma are some of the NFL's other top players mentioned in potential trades.

Price will be a factor for the Falcons. A guard, such as Pittsburgh free agent Alan Faneca, could ask for more than the seven-year, $49 million deal guard Derrick Dockery signed last season with Washington.

"I would think a lot of teams probably identify maybe one or two guys they'll go after," Washington vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "I think a lot of the free agents will be overpaid. Then after a week or so, things will kind of settle down and get some what back to normal."

Dimitroff declined to say if the Falcons would dive into free agency or let the market settle before it made its move. In this climate, though, with so many teams with money and the prospects limited, it is unlikely the Falcons would risk letting potential upgrades sign elsewhere.

Other than running back and offensive line, the areas the Falcons hope to upgrade could be better addressed in free agency than the draft. The Falcons badly want to fortify the free-safety spot, as well as middle linebacker and tight end — weaker positions in the draft.

The Falcons could free up additional money by releasing veteran players during the offseason.

The Falcons are expected to try to re-sign unrestricted free-agent quarterback Chris Redman. Restricted free agent linebacker Michael Boley and defensive end Chauncey Davis will receive tenders that would require any team that signed them to an offer sheet to provide compensation.

The offer sheet also gives the Falcons the right of first refusal. Boley is expected to be tagged with a first-round tender (one-year, $2.01 million), meaning the Falcons would receive a first-round draft pick if they choose not to match a contract offer. Davis received a fourth-round tender (one-year, $917,000). Boley has had contract extension talks and likely will have a long-term deal in place before next season.

Crocker, placekicker Morten Anderson, tight end Dwayne Blakley and outside linebacker Demorrio Williams will be allowed to test free agency.