I'm assuming the Falcons' cornerback depth chart is not going to return intact from a year ago.
Whether you believe the team will cut ties with Dunta Robinson, fail to re-sign Brent Grimes or (as unlikely as it is) both, there's a good chance
Now, if you're like me, you probably believe the Falcons can get by with Robinson/Grimes, Dominique Franks, Chris Owens and Darrin Walls. If you don't, though, there's some quality options to take over one of the top two spots. First on my list is Carlos Rogers.
Rogers is a talented cover cornerback and is coming off a big season for the 49ers. He had six picks in 2011, as well as 18 pass deflections, and was honored among Pro Football Focus' Pro Bowlers. At six feet, he has decent size for a corner, pretty good wheels and rarely embarrasses himself against good receivers. If the Falcons want a starting cornerback who can step right into Mike Nolan's defense and play well, Rogers is as good a bet as anybody.
The chief obstacle here might be cost and age. Rogers is 30 years old and will be among the two-or-three best cornerbacks on the market, joining our own Brent Grimes and Titans defender Cortland Finnegan. If the Falcons make a strong run at a guy like Carl Nicks or try to tweak their defense with an eye toward a future 3-4, Rogers may wind up outside of their price range.
If you're not sold on Rogers for the price, guys like Richard Marshall and Tim Jennings would be cheaper alternatives, as well as our own Kelvin Hayden. That's also true if you think Franks or Owens can step in opposite Robinson/Grimes this season without a visible downgrade. If not, or if you simply want to hugely upgrade the secondary, Rogers would be your guy.
Thoughts on this free agent possibility?