Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons: Early look at three 2023 free agents to sign, avoid

By Grayson Freestone

Aug 21, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Oct 11, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) is introduced before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) is introduced before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The second 2023 free agent the Atlanta Falcons should sign is RT Jack Conklin

If you had to put money down on a guy on this list that the Atlanta Falcons could end up signing in 2023, it would be Jack Conklin

Why is that? The first reason is that the Falcons decided to — smartly — not pick up Kaleb McGary’s fifth-year option so they will be looking for a new right tackle next offseason.

The second reason is that Arthur Smith and Jack Conklin were both with the Tennessee Titans organization prior to them moving on to new teams, so the Falcons head coach knows this lineman better than anyone.

He definitely knows how great Jack Conklin is. He has been an excellent pass blocker in every one of his six, going on seven seasons, in the NFL. The Falcons finally having a solid pass blocker on the right side sounds amazing as McGary has been a turnstile every time Atlanta drops back to pass.

Conklin has also been an excellent blocker in the run game as well, he is just a complete player. Having two veterans on the outside of the offensive line with Jake Matthews and Jack Conklin would be perfect.

The second 2023 free agent the Atlanta Falcons should avoid is RB Saquon Barkley

On one side it would be very intriguing to see Saquon Barkley in Arthur Smith’s offense, but on the other side, the Atlanta Falcons do not need to throw money at the running back position when you have Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier on cheap contracts.

There is no denying Saquon’s talent but as we know in the NFL, injuries kill the best of players and that is what an ACL tear did to Barkley. Since he had that major injury, he has played in 13 games and has a total of 856 yards from scrimmage. Certainly respectable, but far from his 2,000-plus yards from scrimmage in his rookie season.

The potential is there and as much fun as it would be to see Patterson, Barkley, and Allgeier in this offense, there is simply no need to take that risk at a position that doesn’t need it.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News