Falcons should have money to spend in 2019 free agency

The Atlanta Falcons are settling in for a long, crucial offseason after the 2018 season flamed out for any number of reasons.

Inquiring minds will probably go to March to think about what possibilities await for the free agency cycle, where Atlanta may choose to amend a few spots on the roster.

Over the Cap estimates, as of now, the Falcons will have about $24 million to spend once the cycle gets going.

We’re going to assume Vic Beasley’s $12 million fifth-year option is going to either get amended via extension or voided completely, so let’s add to that number and bump it up to $36 million or a little less.

Once we factor in potential cuts, like CB Robert Alford, RT Ryan Schraeder, DE Brooks Reed and WR Mohamed Sanu, the team could clear the way for anywhere from $4 million to somewhere around $20-25 million.

Though the initial number may not be great right now, the team has ample opportunities to clear money out and add impact players once the league opens. That could factor in with trades as well, with the team able to trade its fourth and fifth round comp picks. A fifth was the going rate for DE Michael Bennett last year.

Now, the team will no doubt use some of that money to extend Grady Jarrett and add to Julio Jones’ deal to avoid another Jet-less offseason. They may well also try to hold on to guys like Bruce Irvin, Kemal Ishmael, Ty Sambrailo, Matt Schaub, Logan Paulsen and Ben Garland, who could generate interest elsewhere and fill valuable spots on the roster.

We’ll save identifying who that money might be best given to for later in the offseason, but for now, consider this a welcome to start gearing up those free agency wish lists.

The team is going to have money to spend, should it want some, and it might be the most interesting March the team has been a part of since 2016.