General manager Thomas Dimitroff was steadfast when he insisted that the Falcons would not spend boldly in free agency.
The team made some shrewd moves that could help to bolster the offense.
By signing four offensive players, the Falcons are possibly signaling that they’ll go heavy defense in the draft.
Here are five things to know about the new players:
1. Roll Tide. Offensive guard James Carpenter agreed to terms on a four-year, $21 million deal. He received an $875,000 roster bonus.
Carpenter played at Alabama with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones,
Carpenter, who will turn 30 on March 22, is from Augusta.
2. First round pick. Carpenter was a first-round pick (25th overall) of Seattle in 2011. He has played the past four seasons with the Jets.
Carpenter has played in 103 games and made 97 starts in the NFL.
3. Brown motivated: Offensive guard Jamon Brown agreed to a three-year, $18.75 million contract, which included a $1.8 million signing bonus.
Brown, 25, was a third-round pick by the Rams in 2015. He’s played in 50 games and made 38 starts. He’s 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds.
He played with the Rams and the Giants last season.
He does a lot of community service in his hometown of Louisville.
4. Stocker tied to Koetter. Tight end Luke Stocker agreed to a two-year contract. He played with Tampa Bay in offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter's system. He's a blocking tight end.
He split last season with Tampa Bay and Tennessee.
Stocker, who will turn 31 in July, was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2011 draft by Tampa Bay.
He’s played in 98 NFL games and made 68 starts. He’s never caught more than 16 passes in a season. He’s 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds.
He played at Tennessee and is an avid fisherman.
5. Barner has a Super bowl ring: Returner Kenjon Barner agreed to a one-year contract. He was the player who got popped by punter Matt Bosher last season in the Carolina game on Dec. 23.
He played at Oregon and once rushed for a school-record 321 yards against USC.
Barner, who turns 29 in April, was drafted by Carolina in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.
He was traded to the Eagles in 2014. He played three seasons with the Eagles and was their primary punt returner and also returned kickoffs.
Last season, Barner, 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, played for the Patriots before he was waived and claimed by the Panthers.
He had three kickoff returns for 73 yards in the Eagles 41-33 victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
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