Atlanta Falcons: The one affordable free agent who makes the most sense

The Atlanta Falcons still have needs that they can fill cheaply in free agency.

Despite an abundance of picks in the upcoming NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons cannot address every need that they still have – especially when it comes to certain positions where a veteran presence is needed.

The most important among the vacancies were they need a veteran presence – cornerback.

When you look at the corners still currently on the open market – the list reads of the who’s who over the last decade in the NFL – Malcolm Butler, Richard Sherman, Josh Norman, Jason McCourty, and the list goes on and on.

While those four are the biggest names on the list and have all played in big games during their careers – they are all also no younger than 30 and will still command high dollar on the open market.

That said, there is still one corner that is under 30, has played in multiple Super Bowls and would add value to the secondary, and would be a good fit for Dean Pees defense.

That cornerback is Bashaud Breeland.

Breeland is a seven-year veteran and was a big part of the Chiefs defense over the last several years and was vital to them winning their first Super Bowl two years ago.

He has never made more than $2.3 million in a season and while he has had a few off-the-field issues, he has never been a locker room issue and would be good to have around AJ Terrell, Kendall Sheffield, and Isaiah Oliver.

Doug Farrar from USA Today Sports wrote an article last year where he stated Breeland was one of the best corners in the entire league.

According to Farrar, in 2020, Breeland was the league’s best corner on balls thrown 20 or more yards –

"Against passes of 20 or more air yards last season, per Sports Info Solutions, he allowed two receptions on 13 targets for 60 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception. Among cornerbacks with at least 10 deep targets, nobody allowed a lower QBR than Breeland’s 6.73 — the ridiculously underrated Darious Williams of the Rams ranked second at 17.00."

Seems like a guy that the Atlanta Falcons should kick the tires on for 2021. He would be worth the $3 million they just gave to backup running back Mike Davis.