The Falcons are evaluating the roster with an eye toward free agency first.
Decisions must be made on how active they’ll be in free agency, which starts on March 7 with the opening of negotiations. Players can not be signed until 4 p.m. on March 10, the start of the league’s new business year.
Last season, the Falcons spent $80 million on three key free agents when they signed defensive end Tyson Jackson ($25 million), nose tackle Paul Soliai and right guard JonAsamoah ($22.5 million).
The Falcons have potentially 19 unrestricted free agents. They must determine which ones to sign before the deadline.
Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli will be in charge of free agency. He’ll report to general manager Thomas Dimitroff in the restructured front office. New coach Dan Quinn, who has final say over the roster, while provide the profile the players who are scheme fits for the franchise.
Of the internal possible free agents, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is the team’s top target.
Weatherspoon is coming of Achilles surgery. Dimitroff is hopeful that he can help lead a turnaround of the defense.
Defensive tackle Corey Peters is close second as a priority.
He played 535 snaps. Jackson played 525 and Soliai played 519. Peters had two sacks, four quarterback hits and 15 quarterback hurries. Jackson had a sack, two quarterback hits and 11 hurries. Soliai had one sack and 10 quarterback hurries.
Peters, a 6-foot-3 and 305 pounder, is a fit for Quinn’s 4-3 under scheme. Peters could play defensive end in the 4-3 and either nose tackle or end in the nickel — five defensive backs — package.
The Falcons must make two key decisions at defensive end. Kroy Biermann and Osi Umenyiora are both slated to be free agents.
Biermann played 867 snaps and had six sacks, eight quarterback hits and 28 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. Umeyiora played 347 snaps with three sacks, six quarterback hits and 26 quarterback hurries.
Also, safety Dwight Lowery, who played last season on a veteran minimum contract of $760,000, had a strong season. He started 15-of-16 games and would draw some interest if he reached the open market.
One the biggest decision while revolve around kicker Matt Bryant. Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong will likely fight for his retention.
Bryant has been clutch for the Falcons over the past six seasons. He has made 148 of 167 field goals (84.6 percent) over his tenure, including 18 of 24 field goals from 50 yards or more (75 percent).
However, Bryant will turn 40 in May. He made $2.75 million last season.
The other potential free agents include: defensive back Javier Arenas, guard-tackle, Gabe Carimi, safety Charles Godfrey, guard Mike Johnson, defensive end Cliff Matthews, cornerback Robert McClain, tight end Bear Pascoe, tackle Jonathan Scott, wide receiver Eric Weems, cornerback Josh Wilson and quarterback T.J. Yates.
The Falcons must make decisions on running backs Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith.
Rodgers has been a dependable back as a third-down option. He’s caught 155 passes for 1,104 yards and five touchdowns over four seasons. He’s averaged just 3.7 yards per carry on 305 rushes. He’s played in 63 games with five starts.
Smith, a crowd favorite over the past two seasons, in coming off knee surgery. He’s been a staple on specials teams and has big-play ability.
If the Falcons don’t spend much on retaining their players, they’ll will have money to spend.
The team has $119.3 million projected for their top 51 salaries for 2015, by overthecap.com. The salary cap for 2015 is projected to be between $138.6 million and $141.8 million. However, the NFLPA is projecting that the cap will be higher.
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