With NFL free agency a month away, the Falcons are preparing to go shopping come March 11.
The Falcons recently released cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Stephen Nicholas and created an additional $6.5 million in salary cap space.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff prefers to build through the draft, but will address some needs in free agency. Last season after cutting running back Michael Turner and defensive end John Abraham, the Falcons signed running back Steven Jackson and defensive end Osi Umenyiora in free agency to replace them.
But the Falcons are in good shape at cornerback and linebacker with Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow. Their offseason mission is to improve both the defensive and offensive lines. They could also make a move on a safety.
The Falcons are in process of making decisions on their own free agents.
The Falcons’ list of potential unrestricted free agents include defensive linemen Jonathan Babineaux, Peria Jerry and Corey Peters, offensive linemen Joe Hawley, Mike Johnson, Sean Locklear and Jeremy Trueblood, tight end Chase Coffman, cornerback Dominique Franks and linebacker Omar Gaither.
The Falcons could elect to part ways with more veterans. Free safety Thomas DeCoud ($4.2 million) is the most likely candidate if they are able to sign Buffalo free safety Jairus Byrd in free agency.
Here are five possible free agent targets for the Falcons:
1. Greg Hardy, defensive end, Carolina: He has 26 sacks over the past two seasons. He would help solve the issue of a pass rush. Hardy was the third rated defensive end in the league behind St. Louis' Robert Quinn and Miami's Cameron Wake last season, according to profootballfocus.com. He had 15 sacks, 25 quarterback hits and 44 hurries.
2. Alex Mack, C, Cleveland: Mack has played five seasons for the Browns and started 80 consecutive games. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season. He's 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds. He could anchor the interior of the line and allow the Falcons to move Peter Konz to right guard. He was the fourth ranked center in the league last season, according to profootballfocus.com. He gave up two sacks over 1,150 snaps. Hawley, who took over at center down the stretch was the 20th rated center and Konz, who opened the season as the starter, was the 34th (out of 35) rated center.
3. Jairus Byrd, free safety, Buffalo: He has played five seasons with the Bills, since being selected in the second-round (42nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He's a three-time Pro Bowler and has 22 career interceptions. In the Falcons' 34-31 victory over the Bills on Dec. 1 in Toronto, Byrd had nine tackles. He played last season under the franchise tag and was the eighth ranked safety in the league, according to profootballfocus.com. DeCoud was the 83rd ranked safety last season.
4. Michael Johnson, defensive end, Cincinnati: The former Georgia Tech standout has the high FBI (Football Intelligence) that the Falcons like. He had 11.5 sacks in 2012, but his numbers dipped to 3.5 sacks last season. He also had 10 pass deflections in 2013.
5. Branden Albert, T, Kansas City: He'd have to be fine with playing right tackle because the Falcons believe that Sam Baker is their left tackle. He played 12 games at left tackle last season and was the 28th ranked tackle in the league, according to profootballfocus.com. He had nine penalties, gave up four sacks, five quarterback hits and eight hurries. Trueblood started 12 games at right tackle and was the 53rd rated tackle in the league. Lamar Holmes started 13 games at left tackle and three at right tackle. He was the 75th rated tackle in the league.
Others prospective unrestricted free agents to watch: Michael Bennett, DE, Seattle; Paul Soliai, DT, Miami (played for defensive coordinator Mike Nolan in Miami); Randy Starks, DT, Miami (also played for Nolan in Miami); Geoff Schwartz, OG, Kansas City; Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville (played for offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter in Jacksonville); Karlos Dansby, LB, Arizona (played for Nolan in Miami).
About the Author
