Atlanta Falcons approach will make sense a year from now

The Atlanta Falcons new front office needs time to get it right.

The 2021 offseason is officially underway and the Atlanta Falcons have hardly made any moves. Due to their limited cap space because of COVID-19 and the cap shrinking this season, Atlanta’s hands are currently tied.

The Atlanta Falcons will benefit tremendously a year from now by not making any moves.

One of the benefits of not making many transactions from the start is loading up on compensatory picks. The Baltimore Ravens have perfected this strategy always having extra compensatory picks and are one of the best teams on developing players.

The Falcons could potentially land compensatory picks for Alex Mack, Keanu Neal, Damontae Kazee, and Todd Gurley. There is a window of signing players when the compensatory picks go into effect and after that date is when teams do a lot of their signings.

The Falcons signed Todd Gurley after that date to keep the compensatory picks.

As of right now, the Atlanta Falcons would get a fifth-round compensatory pick after Alex Mack was signed by the San Francisco 49ers.

The cap is expected to grow tremendously next season when the NFL generates more revenue from new TV deals and tickets with fans back in the stands.

We have seen this past year the New England Patriots not make many moves in the 2020 offseason but fast forward to the 2021 offseason the Patriots have brought in a ton of key signings.

If the Atlanta Falcons wait like the Patriots did, they should have a ton of cap space to work with and potentially load up for a deep playoff run with plenty of draft capital from compensatory picks.
There is still time to make moves for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency but long term it is probably best for them to eat the cap this year and not overpay anyone.

Hopefully, the Atlanta Falcons young talent already on the roster can flourish with the new regime. Would not expect the Falcons to make the playoffs next season but should definitely win more than four games next season.