4 free agents who could reunite with new Falcons DC Ryan Nielsen

Nov 28, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (22) returns an interception as Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake (13) pursues in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Marcus Davenport, DE, New Orleans Saints

This is a name that you will hear connected to the Atlanta Falcons a lot over the next month. Marcus Davenport is the top defensive end scheduled to hit the open market and the Falcons need all the help they can get.

Terry Fontenot, the Falcons’ general manager, was the Saints’ assistant general manager when they decided to trade up 13 spots in the first round to draft Marcus Davenport in 2018. Davenport has also spent his entire NFL career with Ryan Nielsen as his positional coach.

He will likely demand significant money and with the Falcons being desperate to find a pass rush, they will be willing to pay. He didn’t have a great year, statistically, but if you look at advanced metrics, he was more productive than his two sacks would indicate.

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