Should Atlanta Falcons target Alshon Jeffery in free agency?
The Atlanta Falcons should attempt to sign wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
For the Atlanta Falcons to become an NFC powerhouse, they need their offense to once again be among the best in the NFL. With Roddy White‘s star fading in Atlanta, the Falcons have to find someone to line up alongside Julio Jones.
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A player of Jones’ caliber doesn’t come around every day, so it’s important not to waste the prime years of his career by not giving him the adequate help. If Alshon Jeffery hits the open market in free agency, the Falcons should absolutely make a move.
Jeffery is top of the wide receiver class in free agency this year, and will by no means be an easy signing. But the Falcons should definitely be in the mix for his signature.
Why Jeffery would be a good fit
Whichever team Jeffery lands at next season, whether it’s Chicago or somewhere else, will benefit greatly from his services. When healthy, Jeffery has proven himself to be one of the best wide receivers in the game.
At 6’3, 216 lbs, Jeffery has the size to be a mismatch across the field. He also has the strength and hands to compete for contested balls, something he has done a number of times for the Bears.
When Jeffery is lining up, the defense has a real problem. He needs attention to be kept quiet. If the Falcons were able to sign him, defenses would have the daunting task of having to cover both Jeffery and Jones.
Jones was attracting double and even triple coverage many times in 2015, largely due to the lack of other receiving threats. Jeffery would be a game-changer. Not only would he pile on production himself, it would open up room for Jones to have his best year yet.
At just 25-years-old, Alshon Jeffery would be a perfect fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
Cost
Here’s the issue. Jeffery likely won’t earn anything in the range of Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but he will be among the highest paid receivers in the league.
Problem is, if Jeffery hits free agency, a team will likely overpay. As much as I love Jeremy Maclin, he didn’t deserve a contract worth $16 million more than Jordy Nelson. But Maclin was the best receiver to hit the market, so the Chiefs had to spend big.
Jeffery might cause a similar effect.
There is also a high probability the Bears franchise tag him if a deal isn’t agreed.
Outlook
It sure seems unlikely Alshon Jeffery will be a Falcon in 2016, but we can dream. He’s a special receiver that proved in Chicago last season he can produce as the No. 1 target. Now imagine plugging him into Kyle Shanahan’s offense with Julio Jones as the top target, Jeffery the No. 2 and Justin Hardy in the slot.
Next: Julio Jones' top five performances of 2015
With the addition of a tight end in the draft, the Falcons would have a young, up-and-coming receiving group with the potential to become one of the best in the NFL.