Atlanta Falcons: So, What About 2018?
We look ahead and ask the question, what positions might the Atlanta Falcons need to address in 2018
Sure, We haven’t even started the 2017 season and the draft was a week ago. Let’s just say I’m not a believer in the saying “Too soon.” So let’s look at where the Atlanta Falcons may need to make some moves at for the 2018 season.
Quarterback – Barring a major injury to starter Matt Ryan, Atlanta shouldn’t need to worry about this position. Matt Schaub will still be under contract after 2017, so backup quarterback isn’t an issue either.
Running Back – This one could be interesting. Everything indicates he’ll get an extension soon, but as of right now Devonta Freeman will be a free agent after this season, so that would be a big hole to fill. Terron Ward will be a restricted free agent, too. Having Tevin Coleman under contract and just drafting Brian Hill helps, though.
Fullback – All of our fullbacks are on one-year contracts, and we don’t know how they’re going to pan out. So this will be a spot to keep an eye on after 2017.
Wide Receiver – The top spots on the depth chart here are set. Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu aren’t going anywhere. Neither is Justin Hardy. However, Taylor Gabriel and Andre Roberts will be free agents, so depth and kick return skills could become an issue.
Tight End – D.J. Tialavea will be a free agent, but everybody else is under contract and Eric Saubert was just drafted, so this position should be set.
Offensive Line – Ben Garland and Hugh Thornton will be free agents, and Andy Levitre could be a candidate to be cut, so even with the recent drafting of Wes Schweitzer and Sean Harlow, guard (and center) could be a problem. The Falcons also don’t have a backup swing tackle of note on the roster at the moment, so that may need to be looked at, too.
Defensive Line – At defensive end, Adrian Clayborn will be a free agent and Brooks Reed is a potentail cap casualty. At defensive tackle Dontari Poe, Courtney Upshaw, and Ra’shede Hageman will be free agents. With the recent signings of Jack Crawford and Derrick Shelby and the drafting of Takkarist McKinley and Vic Beasley, I don’t think end will be a big need. The potential losses of Poe, Upshaw, and Hageman, however, would leave only Grady Jarrett at defensive tackle, so that could wind up being the biggest hole to fill after 2017.
Linebacker – The recent drafting of Duke Riley, Deion Jones, and De’Vondre Campbell, along with the re-signing of LaRoy Reynolds leave this unit in pretty good shape. Don’t forget that Beasley is technically a stand-up outside linebacker in base packages. Kemal Ishmael will be a free agent, though.
Cornerback – This group also looks pretty good. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford recently signed big contract extensions. Jalen Collins is under contract. C. J. Goodwin and Akeem King are exclusive rights free agents, so they’re likely not going anywhere. Damonta Kazee was just drafted. Only Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Demi Olatoye are going to be unrestricted free agents.
Safeties – Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen, and Brian Poole aren’t going anywhere. Ishmael, Kazee, and King could potentially be considered safeties, as well. The one free agent after the 2017 season is Sharrod Neasman, and he’s and exclusive rights free agent, so he won’t be leaving unless the Falcons make the decision to let him move. This position looks set.
Specialists – Punter Matt Bosher and long-snapper Josh Harris are under contract. Kicker Matt Bryant, though, is a free agent, and will be coming up on 43 years of age by the time the 2017 season ends. His time in Atlanta may very well be over after this year.
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Based on the above, and not knowing – obviously – what will happen over the course of next season, I believe the Falcons needs (in order of priority) will be defensive tackle, offensive line depth, wide receiver depth, fullback, and kicker.