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The Atlanta Falcons refused to be shutdown by the coronavirus and cut multiple players on Monday morning. We are still waiting on information regarding post-June 1st designations and if they remain the same with the new CBA but our ballpark estimate suggests they have about $8 million in 2020 to spend after paying rookies. That number goes up if they decide to cut players like Allen Bailey, Ricardo Allen, or James Carpenter.
Regardless of that final number, it means the Falcons could be in the market for one mid-tier starter. ESPN’s Vaughn McClure reports that the Falcons want to sign a pass rusher. McClure says the organization is “trying to pursue” a pass rusher. Most have guessed the Falcons could sign a mid-tier defensive end, if not primarily because the team has no proven starters at defensive end.
The team definitely needs an influx of talent with only Takkarist McKinley, Steven Means, John Cominsky, and Jacob Tuioti-Mariner as the only realistic options left on the roster. None have proven to be anything more than backup caliber, but the last two are still young.
McClure does not mention any specific players, but we know free agents like Jadaveon Clowney are out of the team’s price range. The Falcons are probably looking at older veterans looking to sign their third NFL deals at team-friendly prices.
You could expect someone like Mario Addison (32), Robert Quinn (30), Everson Griffen (32), Jason Pierre-Paul (31), or Jabaal Sheard (31). Dan Quinn may try to get Dante Fowler Jr. (26) but his price is almost certainly going to be closer to $15 million per year. One of these players can be a short-term bridge until the Falcons develop a pass rusher or have enough cap space for a top player.
Update: McClure believes the Falcons will be interested in Quinn, mentioned above.
Would expect the Falcons to make a play for veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn. Not saying they’ll sign him for sure. Quinn, who turns 30 in May, had 11.5 sacks for the Cowboys last season.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 16, 2020
Quinn’s price will be interesting as he has been inconsistent throughout his career. He had 11.5 sacks in 2019 playing across from Demarcus Lawrence, but that is the second-highest mark of his career. He had only 6.5 sacks in 2018 when playing for the Miami Dolphins. Regardless, he will be a massive improvement over Vic Beasley, and perhaps can be a good veteran influence on McKinley