/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66460524/1203274634.jpg.0.jpg)
We’re in a very quiet time of the NFL calendar. The good news is that it frees me up to answer some of your burning questions about the Falcons and what we can expect for the rest of the offseason.
Let’s dive right in, and thanks to everyone who submitted questions this week.
Requisite: why?
— Probably Josh (@ytilanigiroon) March 5, 2020
This is kinda vague, as is the account name. Well, Probably Josh, I don’t know.
Is there asteroid they were talking about on its way already
— Mike Foster (@MagpieMike_ATL) March 5, 2020
Thanks for asking, Mike. I believe it has been on its way for many millions of years. Hopefully this will be similar to the one that came “close” to Earth on the day of Super Bowl LII. As I wrote at the time for SB Nation, the Cleveland Browns had a better chance of winning that Super Bowl, which they weren’t even playing in, than the asteroid had of hitting Earth.
Follow up to Mike's question: Will we see the Unveiling of the Falcons' new unis BEFORE this so-called Asteroid hits??
— Sarah Woodall (@Woodall8Sarah) March 5, 2020
Because I don’t think the asteroid will hit, Sarah, I’m gonna go with yes on this one.
1) With Ishmael not coming back, we're frightfully thin at Safety. So will we sign a free agent AND draft one, or just draft someone ready on opening day?
— King Ashy Hotep I (@Jelani64) March 5, 2020
2) Is Foye Oluokun a 3 down starter?
The Falcons have so many needs and so little cap space to work with. I think in an ideal world they would grab a safety in free agency, but I don’t know how feasible that is given the cap situation. I do think they target one in the draft.
Oluokun was forced into starting in his rookie season and performed admirably. His role was diminished last season with Deion Jones healthy, but I think he can be a three-down starter. That’s good, because the Falcons are poor and De’Vondre Campbell is likely gone, leaving a void in the linebacker corps.
Is Baxter an eligible FA edge rusher?
— The(Isaac)EliasSportsBureau (@IE_SportsBureau) March 5, 2020
Baxter, my chihuahua-Jack Russell Terrier mix rescue, has the speed, athleticism, and length to be disruptive. He’s been trying to build weight by getting lots of treats, begging for pizza, and eating tissues whenever he can get his teeth on one. But at 7.5 pounds, he lacks ideal size for the position. I think he projects better as a cute, tiny mascot at the NFL level.
If a peregrine falcons dive speed is 240mph and the Gyrfalcon weighs 1.4kg, is Julio Jones really the most impressive Falcon?
— Martin (@Gunner_1986) March 5, 2020
Yes.
What should I be worried or happy about if I'm not up on the latest @AtlantaFalcons news?
— Greg Waggoner (@gwaggy12) March 5, 2020
You should worried about the fact that the team is so broke, they’re renting Mercedes-Benz Stadium out on Airbnb. (No, but seriously, I’m mostly worried about how they’ll manage to fill any needs with the cap situation). Austin Hooper is walking, so worry about that, too. You should be happy that you’ve had a respite from Falcons news. That’s a blessing.
What will the Falcons address in free agency with so little cap space?
— Jason (@jtb1521) March 5, 2020
The team has just over $4 million available, and that’s not even enough to sign their draft class. If they make some moves to clear some cap in the future, ask me again, and I’ll give you a better answer. The way things stand right now, it’s impossible to project.
Given that Quinn/dumbitroff are fighting for their jobs...again, what measures are blank and McKay taking to prevent them from trading away draft picks we need to fill multiple holes on the roster, in order to get one “miracle fix” earlier in the first round?
— DeBOOOO (@bowles_dustin) March 6, 2020
I honestly doubt they’re taking any specific measures. Hopefully Quinn and Dimitroff have a comprehensive plan to get the most out of this draft class because it’ll be really, really necessary if the team wants to be competitive this season. But I’m concerned that they’ll do what they always do in the draft and won’t fill sufficient needs for the team to succeed in 2020.
How would you like JK Dobbins on the Falcons
— Daivon Wilson (@Dwizzy1997) March 6, 2020
I would be delighted. Dobbins would fill a tremendous need if the team does, in fact, move on from Devonta Freeman. He was an absolute beast in his final year at The Ohio State. He’ll need to develop some as a blocker (which is typically a big adjustment for rookie running backs) but I think his skill set would make him a great addition. Oh, (or should I say O-H?) and this team needs more Buckeyes.
Do you think Thomas Dimitroff has a plan to take the right positions at the right time in the draft? Or is he just going to do what he usually does?
— Bastard of the South (@hung_dinger) March 5, 2020
Maya Angelou once told Oprah Winfrey that, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” We’ve been watching Dimitroff do this since 2008. He’s shown us who he is. I wish I could give you an optimistic answer here, but alas, I cannot.