Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff generally was pleased with how free agency went for the team this offseason.
But one matter during the “free-for-all” seem to befuddle him.
The Falcons were in the hunt for veteran defensive end Robert Quinn, but lost to the Bears on a "coin flip."
“When the new league year opens and free agency is rolling, obviously then it’s a little bit of a free-for-all,” Dimitroff said Tuesday during a video chat with the local media. “To see that all worked out with the coin flip was interesting to hear. I didn't know if that was a little bit exaggerated, but evidently it wasn’t after we had seen the quotes.”
» MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM: Falcons added less in free agency
Quinn, 29, signed a five-year deal that is worth up to $70 million deal with the Bears on March 17. After the failed pursuit of Quinn, the Falcons signed Dante Fowler to a three-year, $48 million deal March 24.
“Our own internal expectations were that we were going to potentially grab two to three people that were going to help us, and they were going to be projected as potential starters for us,” Dimitroff said. “We were very diligent in all of our work leading into free agency.”
In addition to landing Fowler, the Falcons signed running back Todd Gurley and traded for tight end Hayden Hurst. They were unable to fill holes at linebacker and cornerback after De'Vondre Campbell left to sign with Arizona, and Desmond Trufant was released with a post-June 1 designation.
Trufant ended up signing with the Detroit Lions.
“We had to be creative with it financially,” Dimitroff said. “The first move that we made, of course, via trade with Baltimore, was a big move for us. We knew that it was going to be complicated down the stretch with where we were with (Austin Hooper).”
The Falcons gave up second-round and fifth-round picks and received Hurst and a fourth-round pick from the Ravens.
“He adds some really good speed and athleticism to our team that will be really beneficial for us,” Dimitroff said. “He’s a hard-charging guy both in blocking and in pass receiving.”
After the Falcons announced they were not going to re-sign Vic Beasley, they tried to replace him in free agency. Fowler, who was selected five picks before Beasley in the 2015 draft by Jacksonville, signed.
» ALSO: Falcons earn a C-plus in free agency
He was recruited to Florida and played a season with Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who was the Gators defensive coordinator.
Fowler had a bumpy start to his career with Jacksonville and was traded after two seasons to the Rams. Last season was his first double-digit sack campaign.
“He continues to evolve as a player,” Dimitroff said. “We think we can continue to get a lot out of where he is.”
Gurley, a former standout at Georgia, was NFL offensive player of the year in 2017. He helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl after the 2018 season.
Behind a revamped offensive line, he rushed for a career-low 857 yards last season.
“We weren’t sure how all of that was going to shake out as far as opportunities with him,” Dimitroff said. “But in the end, it was an opportunity to bring in a very good football player and one that we think can help our offense continue to take it to another level.”
The hold-up with announcing the Gurley signing revolved around language in the contract. Gurley, who has a left knee injury history, still must pass a team physical.
“I feel good about that,” Dimitroff said. “If and when, I’m going to say ‘when’ he passes our physical, I think he’s going to do a very good job contributing to this offense.”
Gurley rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2017 and 1,251 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2018. Despite the sub-1,000 yard rushing season, the Falcons believe Gurley still has plenty of gas left in his tank.
“Todd can still tote the rock very, very well,” Dimitroff said. “He’s going to be a big-time playmaker I believe. He has the ability to do that.”
With Trufant gone, Isaiah Oliver and Kendall Sheffield are the top cornerbacks. Veteran Blidi Wreh-Wilson was re-signed in free agency.
"You really can never have enough corners," Dimitroff said. "I think it's really important for us to continue to hone in on that, whether it's the back end of free agency here or whether it's in the draft. We'll continue to look in that area."
Campbell led the Falcons in tackles the past two seasons. He signed with Arizona.
“We have Foye (Oluokun) there, of course, and (Deion Jones), slotted up there looking good in our minds,” Dimitroff said. “We’ll continue to build around the linebacker group.”
The Falcons signed linebackers LaRoy Reynolds and Edmond Robinson in free agency.
“We feel like through some of our acquisitions in free agency and potentially continuing to look in the draft that we’re going to be in a good spot,” Dimitroff said. “In our minds, we have one of the best linebacker coaches in the league in Jeff Ulbrich.”
#Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff discussed letting top CB Desmond Trufant: “Can’t have enough corners” pic.twitter.com/hRuPZwXqcA
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) April 7, 2020
--
The Bow Tie Chronicles Podcasts:
Can be found on Google, iTunes and TuneIn
For more content about the Atlanta Falcons:
Follow me on Twitter @DorlandoAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now
Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have a question? Email me at dledbetter@ajc.com
