Falcons release Tyson Jackson, freeing up cap space and creating new hole at DT

So long, Tyson Jackson. It was a run.

Falcons are releasing DT Tyson Jackson, a league source told ESPN. Jackson has two years and $8.5 million left... https://t.co/87wYk3YFJG

— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 9, 2017

The veteran defensive tackle is being cut because the Falcons will save a couple million this year and a few million nextyear, and they're going to need those dollars with big money extensions happening and on their way. Jackson was brought aboard by Mike Smith and company to impart some toughness to a defensive line sorely lacking it, but by the end of his run in Atlanta, he was a rotational run stopper who could occasionally do useful things as a pass rusher. That's an asset, but with his salary, the axe was looming.

While Jackson was a punching bag for the fanbase, he did offer the solid or better run defense that was advertised when he came over from Kansas City, and he outlasted fellow defensive tackle Paul Soliai. That's something, I guess.

This cut leaves the Falcons thin at defensive tackle, where they have Grady Jarrett, Ra'Shede Hageman, and part-time, nickel down defensive tackles like Derrick Shelby and Adrian Clayborn. They'll likely bring back Courtney Upshaw and add at least one, if not two quality options through free agency and the draft, but this is a position that needs help and needs to get it. The dollars the Falcons save here should definitely go toward that need.

Fare thee well, T-Jax.