Atlanta Falcons have to act swiftly to fill Wilcox void

With the injury to J.J. Wilcox at the start of training camp, the Atlanta Falcons need to go after the hometown kid Eric Berry.

Eric Berry at this point makes sense for the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, he is a home-grown product and has roots in metro Atlanta, but that is not at all important. What is important is that he is available, is at a position of need and is becoming more and more affordable every day that he is not signed.

At one point, it looked like Berry was destined for the Hall of Fame. He was supposed to continue the lineage for great NFL safeties that include hall of fame players like Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins as well as younger guys like Earl Thomas.

In his prime, the 30-year-old Berry was electric, however, he has struggled with his health since the end of the 2016 season. While other teams across the league are passing him by, the Falcons should be the team to bring him aboard.

He would be perfect for what he Falcons need.

The Falcons don’t need a starter, the Falcons do not need a leader in the secondary and the Falcons do not need a guy to take significant snaps. The Falcons need a player that can provide depth and experience.

Berry provides both.

If Eric Berry is not healthy, then sure the Falcons should move on to one of several other options still available. However, if he is available and is willing to submit to a physical and will take a team friendly one-year deal, the Falcons would be dumb not to pursue a veteran of Berry’s stature.

With teams like the Giants and Bears looking for Safeties as well, Dimitroff and the Falcons must act fast.