1. Falcons trade RB Tyler Allgeier
No one wants to see Tyler Allgeier leave but sometimes the hard decision is the best decision.
Bijan Robinson received most of the action last season while Allgeier occasionally took the field when Bijan needed a break. It is an unfortunate circumstance for a player who holds the franchise rookie rushing record. He deserves more carries which is something another team could offer him.
2. Falcons re-sign two veteran starters who struggled in 2024
Everyone was excited to see what Matt Judon and Justin Simmons would do for this team but it quickly became apparent that they aren't the players they used to be.
Judon went on a late-season surge and the team has a third-round pick invested in him so the front office may bring him back on a short deal. Meanwhile, Simmons looked slow but a new defensive scheme could improve his play next season.
3. Falcons release two starters with a combined 245 games with the franchise
Kaleb McGary and Grady Jarrett are two names we have grown accustomed to seeing on Sundays. The right tackle has played 93 games over six seasons while the defensive tackle has 152 games over ten seasons.
But seniority isn't always a good thing in the NFL, especially when your salary exceeds your play.
By releasing McGary the Falcons would save $14.5M with $2M in dead cap. With a lefty quarterback, he would be the blindside protector which isn't the most comforting thought, thus a release is likely.
For Grady, his release would save $16.3M with $4.1M in dead cap. The Falcons made an effort last offseason to get younger at the position which signals toward the legend's release, possibly even a trade.
4. Kirk Cousins survives the offseason, makes Falcons Week 1 roster
Many are calling Terry Fontenot's bluff right now; the general manager took to the podium and stated that the team is confident in Kirk Cousins being Michael Penix Jr.'s backup next season.
It doesn't take an expert to realize it is an attempt to leverage a potential trade. The Falcons are in a difficult spot requiring patience. That patience may extend into the start of next season.
A team will get desperate enough after they don't land their favorite quarterback of the offseason or if their starter gets injured -- that is when the Falcons should negotiate a trade. It will maximize their compensation even if it costs them some money.
5. Falcons sign future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack
Finding a pass rusher with a pedigree like Khalil Mack's would be sublime for the Falcons this offseason. They need someone who can close out games and end this long drought of not having a double-digit sack artist.
Mack isn't coming off his best season but just two seasons ago he racked up 17 sacks. While he will demand a good chunk of cash, the Falcons aren't in a position to mess around -- they need to fix the pass rush. Adding the future Hall of Famer won't just help the team on gameday but it will help the development of guys like Arnold Ebiketie and Bralen Trice.
It is worth noting that ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler already linked the two sides in a recent article.
6. Falcons sign two big-name defensive starters with Jeff Ulbrich ties
There will be a few players on the open market that Jeff Ulbrich knows well and two of them stand out amongst the rest -- DJ Reed and Jamien Sherwood.
DJ Reed is an immediate fix to the Falcons' No. 2 cornerback hole. He has been an underrated player that was overshadowed by Sauce Gardner. He would change the defense's outlook.
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood is a converted safety that Ulbrich loves. His sideline-to-sideline coverage and playmaking ability is something this defense needs, especially with Troy Andersen's volatile health.
7. Falcons make just five picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
Through a combination of trades and the Kirk Cousins tampering punishment, the Atlanta Falcons have just five draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
It is not a fun thought with the current lack of cap space and needs across the defense which is why many have already booked it that Terry Fontenot will make a few trades to recoup draft capital. However, don't be so certain because the Falcons haven't been too eager to trade away players who trade back in the draft.
We may see them keep things simple on draft day by only selecting five players through the seven rounds.
8. Falcons draft offense in first round for fifth straight year
Terry Fontenot has yet to draft a defensive player in the first round. Instead, he has built up a talented offense by drafting Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Michael Penix Jr., all in the top ten.
So, why do we expect that to change? Well, there is good reason, the starting lineup on offense is pretty well set and the defense has major holes but that was the thinking we had a year ago.
Couple this prediction with the Kaleb McGary release and it becomes even more plausible. The Falcons would need a long-term starter on Penix's blindside -- taking one in the first round isn't the worst idea.
There is also the possibility they draft a tight end, especially if Pitts is traded before April's draft.