The Atlanta Falcons are in the early stages of their rebuild. The first season under head coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot was a solid one, as the team went 7-10.
When you take into consideration some of the challenges the team faced, it was impressive that the Falcons challenged as long as they did. Playing meaningful games into December is always nice in the first season of being under new leadership.
The Falcons have a lot of work to do before they would be considered contenders, but they seem to be heading in the right direction. Right now, they have about $10 million in cap space to spend but can open up even more with some moves, such as trading Matt Ryan.
Atlanta has a few needs heading into the offseason that they will look to shore up. Who could they target in free agency? Here are three early targets for the Falcons in free agency.
3. CB Darious Williams
One area that the Atlanta Falcons will look to shore up this offseason is the defensive backfield. They could use some help at the cornerback position despite using a first-round pick on A.J. Terrell in 2020.
This isn’t the most pressing need on the roster, so they may not go shopping at the top of the market. However, some solid players could be available, one of whom will be Los Angeles Rams corner, Darious Williams.
The Rams could be hard-pressed to retain Williams as they have handed out some big contacts in recent offseasons, which has resulted in some good players leaving in free agency. Could the Falcons outbid the Rams for Williams’ services?
2. WR Mike Williams
The Atlanta Falcons had one of the worst wide receiver situations in the NFL last season. They traded Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans in the offseason. Calvin Ridley was expected to take over as their No. 1 target but stepped away to work on his mental health.
That left Russell Gage Jr., who is a free agent, Tajae Sharpe, Olamide Zaccheaus and Christian Blake to soak up a ton of snaps. The Falcons need to upgrade here and could target someone such as Mike Williams.
Williams could be intrigued by becoming the No. 1 option for a team if he opts to leave the Los Angeles Chargers. The Falcons could present him with a role like that, especially if Ridley does not return to the team.
1. OLB Hassan Reddick
Bolstering the pass rush is something that the Atlanta Falcons have to do this offseason. This is arguably the most important area for them to improve, as their pass rush was anemic last season.
The Falcons totaled only 18 sacks on the season. To put into perspective how poor of a total that is, there were two players, T.J. Watt and Robert Quinn, that surpassed that total on their own.
Dante Fowler Jr. had the most sacks on the team in 2021, registering only 4.5. That cannot happen again in 2022 and bringing in a bonafide pass rusher is a must. A player such as Hassan Reddick would bring that pass-rushing prowess the roster is currently missing.
