Atlanta Falcons With 2015 Expiring Contracts

The Atlanta Falcons head into 2014 in the midst of a fairly significant makeover. If all goes according to plan, this will be a bigger, more physical team operating a defense that features a heavier dose of 3-4 looks. This won't be successful overnight, but it's a plan I've voiced support for many times.

Because that plan implies significant change, I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of players who will see their contracts expire at the end of the year. These players will need pre-or-mid-season extensions or, failing that, strong performances on a retooling team to stick around beyond 2014.

Here's the full list, for your perusal and debate. It's a long one.

2015 Falcons Free Agents

DE/LB Osi Umenyiora
DE/LB Kroy Biermann
QB Dominique Davis (Restricted)
LB Sean Weatherspoon
LS Josh Harris (Restricted)
K Matt Bryant
DT Corey Peters
CB Robert McClain
CB Josh Wilson
DT Peria Jerry
T/G Gabe Carimi
CB Javier Arenas
FS Dwight Lowery
TE Bear Pascoe
RB Antone Smith
LB Akeem Dent
T Mike Johnson
WR Roddy White
RB Josh Vaughan
DE Cliff Matthews
P Matt Bosher
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
FB Patrick DiMarco (Exclusive Rights)
WR Darius Johnson (Exclusive Rights)
WR Drew Davis (Restricted)
G Harland Gunn (Restricted) 
TE Andrew Szczerba (Exclusive Rights)
TE Anthony Miller (Exclusive Rights)

What jumps out at you from this list is that the Falcons have a fair number of stopgap starters, and their current batch of depth could be cleared out if the Falcons don't choose to re-sign several of these guys. Not all of these players will even make it through 2014, of course, but it's a lengthy list.

The Falcons should absolutely make Roddy White, Matt Bosher, Corey Peters (if healthy), and Sean Weatherspoon (if healthy and coming off a fine 2014) priorities. We'll likely be having some interesting discussions this time next year, that's for certain.