This is an important offseason for the Atlanta Falcons. They have outperformed expectations in both seasons under Arthur Smith, going 7-10 each time and showing vast improvements in Year 2 over Year 1. Now entering Year 3, it is time for the team to take that next step.
Atlanta challenged for the NFC South divisional crown in 2022, falling just a game short of the eventual champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Tom Brady no longer leading the Buccaneers, every team in the division, including the Falcons, has to feel they are capable of jumping up into that spot.
If Smith is comfortable with Desmond Ridder as the team’s starter this season, as he did finish the season respectably, the Falcons have the means to build the roster up around him. They have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft which will enable them to land an elite prospect. However, before that, the team has a ton of cap space to put to use.
Atlanta can afford to be aggressive in free agency as they currently have the second most projected cap space in the league. With clear needs on the roster, they can pinpoint which players fit their schemes and make competitive offers. That amount of cap space also means they can be buyers on the trade market.
Every season there are established veterans that are moved because of salary cap concerns. This year, the player being mentioned most in that regard is Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams.
Ramsey took a step back in terms of being a shutdown corner in 2022 considering his lofty expectations, but overall, it was a solid season. He set multiple career highs and had the best tackling season of his professional career.
His cap hit of $25.2 million is a big one for a team to absorb, but the Falcons currently have nearly $67 million in cap space, so that wouldn’t be an issue. Figuring out the kind of compensation to send to the Rams would prove tougher.
Ramsey was suggested as a dream trade target for the Falcons this offseason by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. A price tag was also suggested, as a high Day 2 and more could be needed to snag the multi-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback.
The Falcons did receive some solid draft capital from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for Calvin Ridley which could be added to a deal for Ramsey as well. Depending on how things shake out after Ramsey was indefinitely suspended, that pick from Jacksonville could be as high as a second-rounder in 2024.
The No. 8 overall pick would assuredly not be put on the table by the Falcons, but there is a deal that could be made between the two teams. No. 45 would be a nice addition to the deal as the Rams are short on draft capital once again in 2023.
