The Falcons Should Be Able To Find A Veteran Cornerback

The Atlanta Falcons currently have one of the youngest cornerback depth charts in the NFL, with Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, Robert McClain, Saeed Lee and Jordan Mabin all well under 30. That could change between now and the start of the season.

If the rumors are to be believed, the Falcons are in the market for veteran help at cornerback. Whether that ends up being a fourth cornerback or competition for Robert McClain in the nickel, we don't know. What we do know is that if the Falcons want to add a codger to the depth chart, this is a good year to do it.

Between cuts and unsigned free agents, the Falcons can expect to have a shot at Carlos Rogers, Champ Bailey, Charles Tillman, Tarell Brown and others in the coming days. Some of those guys are going to want legitimate chances to start, but others may be happy taking on a nickel role at this stage of their careers.

There's been plenty of smoke about a Bailey-Falcons deal, but it makes me nervous if the team believes he's a better nickel option than McClain. Bailey will be 36 in June, has been declining for a couple of years now and isn't the stellar asset in coverage that he once was. There's been a lot of buzz around him offering versatility and playing some safety, but we don't know how he'd fare there, and a player who is thoroughly mediocre at two positions is only so useful. If the team is confident he can still offer something in their scheme, sure, but I'm not.

Rogers and Tillman stand out as veterans who are still useful players, but they'll likely want more money and a legitimate shot at a starting role. There's likely to be more players flooding the market in the coming days, as well.

Do you think the Falcons will sign a veteran cornerback, and if so, who?