Atlanta Falcons: Free-agent value signings show good evaluation
The Atlanta Falcons don’t have much money to spend this 2021 offseason, but they have made moves to make the roster better through value signings.
Anyone who knew anything about the Falcons’ cap situation coming into this offseason knew that the moves made were going to be sparse and there weren’t going to be any overwhelming or major signings.
While we would’ve loved to see the Falcons get involved with some of the big names this offseason, we knew it wasn’t going to happen.
That being said, what the Falcons have done- under the leadership of new GM Terry Fontenot- is make value signings that show solid evaluation.
The Atlanta Falcons have made the roster better through these value signings
Former Carolina Panthers RB Mike Davis signed a two-year deal worth $5.5 million with $3 million guaranteed this year earlier this spring.
While Davis isn’t one of the top running backs in the league, he has been solid and is coming off a year where averaged nearly four yards per carry, filling in for an injured Christian McCaffrey quite a bit.
Davis is a guy who can be paired with another running back to give the Falcons a solid backfield and to gain more consistency in the running game- at a much lower cost, mind you.
Cordarrelle Patterson is the best kick returner in the game and he is a major playmaker. The Atlanta Falcons are going to reportedly use him at running back, as well, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him line up at wide receiver from time-to-time either.
He signed with the Falcons on a one-year deal worth $3 million and is going to be a nice piece in Arthur Smith’s new offensive system.
Duron Harmon became a full-time starter with the Detroit Lions last season and graded out with a 65.3 PFF evaluation. While he’s not a Pro-Bowler, Harmon has been solid at the position and showed better consistency as the season went on last year.
The Falcons have a thin safety room and there’s no doubt that Harmon provides a key piece to the defensive backfield this season.
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In all of these signings- and the Atlanta Falcons have made a few more, as well- what we can see is great evaluation. The Falcons don’t have the luxury of a ton of cap space, so they’ve made the best of a bad situation by bringing in instrumental pieces who could make a difference while not eating up a ton of cash.