Falcons pick up $6.45 million in cap space today

As we mentioned a week or so ago, the Falcons just picked up about $6.45 million in cap space for the summer. When they let go of longtime right tackle Ryan Schraeder, the team designated him as their lone 2019 post-June 1 cut, allowing them to realize some savings just in time to bolster the team further ahead of training camp.

The decision couldn’t have been an easy one—Schraeder had been rock solid for years before an extremely shaky 2018—but the team made it and invested in Kaleb McGary as a late first round pick at the position, setting him up as the logical successor. The cap space figured to be a plus for Atlanta as they navigate Julio Jones and Grady Jarrett contract talks, but it’s also available if they want to add to the roster.

There’s evidence that’s exactly what they’ll do. Gerald McCoy appears to be out of reach, as he’s yet to visit with Atlanta, but there are capable defensive linemen like Derrick Morgan lingering on the market and the team just cleared a roster spot by releasing safety Afolabi Laguda on Saturday. With the new space, it would be surprising if the Falcons didn’t add a veteran to the roster between now and the end of the week, and my money is still along the defensive front. I know the Falcons added John Cominsky, but their fourth defensive end over the past several seasons has always been an experienced veteran with some run-stopping acumen, which makes me think that part of the roster isn’t quite finished yet.

And Schraeder? He’s looking fit and trim, and hopefully is having a great time whether he decides to continue his career or retire.