AJC Source: Atlanta Falcons overpaid WR Mohamed Sanu

There are a few things this offseason to which NFL analysts (or random bloggers on the Falcoholic) have reached a consensus: the Alex Mack signing will really improve the offensive line, the team will need Vic Beasley to get past the NFL learning curve sooner rather than later, and the Falcons overpaid for Mohamed Sanu.

Every offseason or free agency critique has pointed at the price given to land Sanu. It does not make him a bad player, but the opportunity cost to land Sanu seems high. We have all been there. Approaching hour six at the car dealership, and you think you would be stupid to not take the undercoating if it only costs $28 per month for the next 60 months. Only days later are you regretting that extra $500 luxury floor mat option.

Well, Thomas Dimitroff got taken to the car dealership, according to an NFL source in D. Orlando Ledbetter's most recent article.

"Sanu, they kind of overpaid him, but they had to for what they needed as a No. 2 receiver," a high ranking NFL personnel man told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He’s a good receiver. He’s not a great receiver. With what they had, they had to get somebody."

"What am I going to do? Take the bus? I don't care how much the roof rack costs and I have to get out of here." - Thomas Dimitroff.

Lets not get it wrong. Sanu is a pretty good wide receiver. His time with the Bengals was disappointing, but he struggled when forced into the top spot in year three of his career. You should expect wide receivers to continue to develop, and I think Dimitroff expects the same. He will likely be expected to block first, make plays against single coverage second, and be the number two target after Julio Jones.

At the same time, Sanu is slower, has struggled with his hands, and does not have the size you would hope for from a slower guy with inconsistent hands. He has not yet had a season that justifies his salary, which is likely why most agree that the Falcons paid Corvette prices for a Camaro.