Sheldon Richardson DT – In 2016/2017 Richardson had a combined 3.5 sacks with the Jets and Seahawks, but in 2018 with Minnesota he racked up 4.5 along with 3 Tackles for loss and 49 Tackles. He wouldn’t be cheap, but having a pass rusher to go along with Takk and Vic would be a huge help for the defense. There have been some character issues brought up that I’m sure the right brotherhood could nip that right in the butt.
Ndamukong Suh DT – This would be a big splash for the Falcons. A move I would be happily surprised by. Suh can be a game wrecker and he showed that in the playoffs. He has the tenacity, grit, and overall pissed off attitude that could bring some swagger to our defense. Putting Suh next to Jarrett would strike fear in any QB.
Muhammad Wilkerson DT – Coming into his 8th year in the league, the veteran tackle would bolster our line big time. The 3 time NFL Top 100 and 1 time Pro Bowler would help stop the run. Wilkerson only played 3 games last year, which could end up making him a bargain of sorts.
Za’Darius Smith EDGE – Smith can get to the QB. The Falcons need more guys that can get to the QB. He totaled 8.5 sacks in 2018 which was more than either of our starting EDGE rushers. Our secondary struggled last year largely due to the lack of ability to create pressure on the QB. Za’Darius creates the pressure needed for a defense to succeed.
Dante Fowler EDGE – Splish, Splash, Dante Fowler ice bath. This would be a pricey pick up, a lot like Suh. The Rams went all in last year by nabbing Fowler right at the trade deadline. Fowler is still young and could be a piece we could extend if he fits into Dan Quinn’s scheme. Otherwise, he would be a one year rental a lot like Poe was in 2016. He could help us get over the hump.
Cameron Wake EDGE – Wake may be going into his 10th year, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no gas left in the tank. Last year he had 6 sacks on a sub-par at best Dolphins team. Wake could also help a struggling Vic Beasley and young Takkarist McKinley refine their shared trade. Remember having Clayborn to mentor Vic helped him get a NFL leading 16 sacks in 2016, Wake could have the same type of effect.
Terrell Suggs EGDE/LB – Suggs is a baaaaaad man. The ying to Ray Lewis’ yang before he retired, Suggs has a cutthroat mentality that sure could be infectious on a young Atlanta defense. Suggs can play on the line and can cover pretty well too. He has been elite for a good while and would really take our linebacker group to another level.
Kwon Alexander LB – This is my dream Free Agent signing. Kwon is coming off a torn ACL and the Bucs have discussed cutting him. Kwon has posted videos on social media showing his recovery is going very well. Alexander is an elite linebacker who has ties with our new Offensive Coordinator (Koetter) and the Falcons’ starting middle linebacker Deion Jones when they played next to each other at LSU. Alexander, Jones, Campbell, Oluokun and Riley would give the Falcons one of the youngest, fastest, and talented Linebacker groups in the NFL.
Thomas Davis LB – Davis is a long time Panther, which would make this signing particularly fun. Not only would he bring a veteran linebacker to an already pretty good group, but he would bring valuable knowledge about a team that we play twice a year. Davis also is from Georgia, where he played his college football and has said he would like to play in his home state. An additional bonus would be his low price tag.
Brian Poole CB – When Atlanta cut Poole it really came as a shock to me. He played 70% of the defensive snaps last year and was a pretty good slot corner at worst. Poole is also excellent at blitzing the QB when asked. Rodgers ears are probably still ringing from the monster hit Poole put on him in 2017. He is a guy they should have payed, but the Falcons took the risk of letting him hit the open market. Here’s hoping they can bring him back somehow.
Glover Quin S – After a down year under a new Head Coach, Quin is ready for a bounce back season. Quin is a ball hawk and Dan Quinn frequently talks about the importance of winning the turnover margin. Although with Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen coming back from injuries and Kazee coming off a breakout season, this pick up does seems unlikely.
