Ever since Ryan Nielsen was named Atlanta's defensive coordinator, the media has thrown out speculation that David Onyemata might be a Falcons target in free agency. Could be... he played for Nielsen and he's about to become a free agent. Interior defensive line is a major area of need, and he has some pass rush skills - last season he had 5 sacks and 11 QB hits. But he's not the only name that might be worth a look. Khalen Saunders and Greg Gaines are also headed for free agency. In the meantime... Bengals safety Jessie Bates has David Mulugheta as his agent. Mulugheta also represents Falcons players A.J. Terrell, Casey Hayward and Kyle Pitts. Last month, Mulugheta had dinner with these four, and Bates reportedly went to a club along with the three Falcons players later. And the twist that might seal it: in last week's coaching shuffle, Steve Jackson moved back from the offensive side of the house to the defense. He was named the secondary coach. That's the same position he held with the Bengals, where he coached Bates. So... Bates would get to join his new mates and gets his old coach back. Seems like a good landing spot, and Nielsen and Jerry Gray would have another top level player in the secondary. He'd probably replace Jaylinn Hawkins, with Hawkins providing depth at safety and serving as the dime back. I'm thinking this one probably happens. Onyemata wouldn't surprise me, but I'm not so sure. Bates seems almost like a slam dunk.
Updated FA signings in Atlanta... because I had nothing better to do at this moment, lol. WR Mack Hollins signs one-year deal CB Cornell Armstrong signs one-year deal LB Tae Davis signs one-year deal RT Kaleb McGary to sign 3-year deal QB Taylor Heinicke signs 2-year, $20M contract LB Kaden Elliss agrees to terms on 3-year, $21.5 million contract S Jessie Bates agrees to 4-year, $64 million deal Falcons sign P Bradley Pinion to 3-year deal Falcons sign DT David Onyemata to 3-year, $35 million deal Falcons re-sign FB Keith Smith Falcons sign RG Chris Lindstrom to 5-year extension Falcons trade for TE Jonnu Smith Falcons committing over $200 million to player contracts over this past week alone. According to Over The Cap‘s latest projections, the Falcons currently have just over $24 million in cap space available. We should also take into account the amount needed to sign draft picks, which would drop the team’s funds down to an estimated $19 million. Despite Atlanta’s busy start to free agency, the team still holds on to the fourth-most overall cap space, and third-most effective cap — which takes into account draft signings. When broken down, the Falcons are spending $106.1 million spent on offense, $89.8 million spent on defense and $8.1 million spent on special teams. Additionally, Atlanta is paying $16.5 million in dead money to former players.
The Falcons announced the signing of defensive back Mike Hughes to a one-year deal Monday. Hughes, 26, visited the team earlier in the day. He spent last season with the Lions. He played 53 percent of the offensive snaps over 16 games, with six starts. He saw action on 563 defensive snaps and 100 on special teams. Hughes totaled 51 tackles and one pass defensed in 2022. The Vikings made him the 30th overall pick in 2018, and he spent three seasons in Minnesota. Hughes appeared in 24 games with seven starts. He spent the 2021 season in Kansas City, playing 17 games with five starts. In his career, Hughes has three interceptions, 20 passes defensed and seven forced fumbles. PFT
Here's an idea of how the team stands after this week's signings... QB = Desmond Ridder, backup = Taylor Heinecke RB = Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson FB = Keith Smith (also TE Parker Hesse) WR = Drake London, Mack Hollins TE = Kyle Pitts, Jonnu Smith OL = Jake Matthews, Matt Hennessy(?), Drew Dalman, Chris Lindstrom, Kaleb McGary Edge = Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ekitebie DL = Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta'Quon Graham ILB = Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen CB = A.J. Terrell, Casey Hayward, Mike Hughes S = Jessie Bates, Richie Grant I like this. And we haven't even hit the draft or finished the cheaper side of free agency yet. Pre-draft wish list = one more WR (one of our own will do), resigning Elijah Wilkinson for the OL, another DL (though Eddie Goldman will do if he actually decides to play this year).
