Once the combine is over, the Falcons are set to turn their full attention to free agency.
The Falcons started talks with several of their prospective free agents. Now, after studying the combine, they have a better understanding of what’s going to be available in the draft.
The next step is to formulare their free agency plan. Free agency opens on March 10.
“We’re going to be very open-minded to what that free agency approach is going to be,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “It’s so important for us to leave here, see what we have potentially from a collegiate standpoint and then compare it to what may be out there in free agency.”
Before attending the combine, Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn intensely reviewed the current roster of players. Some releases of veterans are forthcoming.
“We’ve been in a situation, holed up in my office with Dan, spending a lot of time looking at that roster and comparing what’s out there potentially in free agency,” Dimitroff said. “I’m taking about the skills. I’m talking about the speed and production and comparing that to what’s on our draft board. (Which is) right beside our Pro free agency board.”
The Falcons are at $121.9 million on the salary cap and NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith expects the new salary cap to be set at $143 million.
“Suffice it say, we have some money and we can approach it where we’ll be willing to make moves if we deem them necessary,” Dimitroff said.
Kansas City’s Justin Houston and New York Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul are the top pass rushers who could become unrestricted free agents. But both teams are working to retain Houston and Pierre-Paul.
The Falcons still believe there will be some good pass-rush prospects in free agency.
“As it applies to Dan’s scheme and his approach, I think there are a number of really good football players in free agency at the pass-rush position,” Dimitroff said.
Dimitroff also believes there will be some good pass-rush talent available in the draft.
“I do believe there is depth there,” he said.
The Falcons may take a modified approach to free agency.
“You don’t necessarily always have to jump out on the high-tier guys and pay out the roof,” Dimitroff said. “There may be a situation where you can get some mid-line guys who fit his system and (Quinn is) going to utilize them.”
Dimitroff wants to guard against fan expecations. He wants folks to believe that all of the Falcons’ woes can’t be fixed with a few signings.
“One of the things about free agency that we know is that there tends to be ramped up expectations,” Dimitroff said. “I think Dan is going to make sure that’s not the issue here and that’s not the approach.
“It’s about making sure that we get people who fit into our system. We’re not going to be making a big deal about it. We’re not going to have a lot of pomp and circumstances about our acquisitions. It’s about making sure that they fit in with this football team.”
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