FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons appear set to let all 12 of their unrestricted free agents test the open-market when the league's new business year starts at 4 p.m. today.
The Falcons want to re-sign defensive end Adrian Clayborn and linebacker O’Brien Schofield, but they are being courted by other teams.
The Dallas Cowboys and several other teams are reportedly interested in Clayborn, who played for the Falcons last year on an incentive-laden contract. Schofield also has a few suitors.
“They are both relentless competitors,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “They embody the attitude that we like.”
The Falcons have a plan for Clayborn if he returns. Quinn is ready to declare his experiment to play him at defensive tackle in passing situations over.
“If he’s back with us, I’ll probably feature him more outside than in,” Quinn said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
Schofield and linebacker Philip Wheeler, who was signed during the season, were not immediately re-signed as the Falcons are trying to improve their linebacker corps this offseason.
The released veteran Justin Durant after just one season and didn’t extend a restricted tender to linebacker Nate Stupar. Wheeler could be re-signed later.
“As far as Wheeler goes, he’s got versatility,” Quinn said. “He can both play inside and outside. The linebacker position for us, based on that speed is another spot that we are continuing to look at. Our pass rush and our overall speed on defense. The reason that I talk about the speed so much is that often times that’s how some of the turnovers are created.”
Quinn has stated several times this offseason that the Falcons were 7-1 when they won the turnover margin.
A tough decision was made in not to re-sign kicker Shayne Graham. He was signed during the season and kicked the week of his father’s death. He help stabilize the position down the stretch when Matt Bryant went down with a hamstring injury.
Graham will be free to sign with another team.
The Falcons will start on their search for Bryant’s eventual replacement.
“For sure, we what to have the competition there and Matt is off to a good offseason in terms of his health,” Quinn said. “For sure, we’re going to have somebody to compete with Matt.”
Other players set to become unrestricted free agents include cornerback Phillip Adams, right guard Chris Chester, safety Charles Godfrey, tight end Tony Moeaki, defensive end Kroy Biermann, tackle Jake Long and tackle Bryce Harris.
Chester, 33, played 1,140 of the offensive snaps (100 percent) and was a strong run blocker. The Falcons plan to upgrade the interior of the offensive line. Ideally, the team is trying to find players who can handle the outside zone-blocking system and remain strong in pass protection.
The Falcons extended second-round tenders to restricted free agent linebacker Paul Worrilow and right tackle Ryan Schraeder on Monday.
Worrilow has been the team’s leading tackler over the past three seasons. Schraeder solidified the right tackle spot last season.
The tender is worth $2.553 million for the 2016 season. The Falcons would garner a second-round pick if Worrilow or Schraeder receive an offer sheet from another team and they elect to pass on matching it.
Worrilow, 26, made the Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2013.
Schraeder, 27, made the Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State in 2013. Schraeder has started 30 of 42 games.
In another expected move, the team also tendered free safety Ricardo Allen as an exclusive rights free agent. He’s set to make a base salary of $525,000. They did not extend a tender to guard Ben Garland.
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