ESPN Insider Offseason Priorities: Atlanta Falcons

[iowajerms]

Atlanta entered Week 17 at 6-9, with a chance to win the NFC South if they could defeat the Panthers at home. Instead, they were blown out and finished the season 6-10, and head coach Mike Smith was fired Monday.

The Falcons have several key personnel needs to address this offseason and will have the use of the No. 8 overall draft pick. Here are the team's top offseason priorities:

1. Establish a pass rush

For two years running, the Falcons have been among the worst pass-rushing teams in the league. Osi Umenyiora is a free agent and should be shown the door. Kroy Biermann is also a free agent. While Biermann is a very good all-around football player and the Falcons' best pass-rusher, he isn't a finisher and accumulates pressures rather than sacks. They should bring him back as a secondary edge presence but should also actively try to find a No. 1 pass-rusher in free agency and/or possibly in the first round of the draft. Dome teams need great edge pass-rushers, and this is Atlanta's top need by a wide margin.

2. Add more offensive talent around Matt Ryan and Julio Jones

Tony Gonzalez has been missed a great deal in Atlanta. This isn't to suggest the Falcons are just going to find a tight end of Gonzalez's caliber, but they need much more than what the wildly disappointing Levine Toilolo gave them in 2014. This is not an especially strong tight end draft class, and free agency is likely the best way to approach this issue. Could the Falcons land Julius Thomas, in the event the Broncos don't use the franchise tag on him or sign him to a contract extension? He would provide Ryan some serious weaponry.

The Falcons also need to run the ball better in 2015. The blocking was partially to blame, but the ball-carriers weren't spectacular. Steven Jackson is still under contract, but Atlanta should try to find a big back with superior skills to what Jackson has remaining at this point in his career. Devonta Freeman's late-season performance was encouraging, but he is more of a rotational running back than lead guy. Atlanta could consider signing someone such as Ryan Mathews or Mark Ingram to upgrade over Jackson, but the draft is the more likely resource to use to fill this need. Perhaps local product Todd Gurley will be available when Atlanta is on the clock in Round 2?

3. Improve the secondary

Not only do the Falcons fail to rush the quarterback well enough, but besides the underrated Desmond Trufant, Atlanta lacks difference-makers on the back end of their defense. Dwight Lowery played a lot of snaps in 2014, but he is an average football player, and his contract is up. Robert McClain has even less value than Lowery and wouldn't be missed. A ball hawk with range at free safety to complement William Moore would be an ideal addition, but the Falcons could also use another cornerback, preferably one with plus size for the position. This might be another area to address with the No. 8 overall pick.

4. Fortify the interior offensive line

Although he started his rookie season slowly as he dealt with a severe ankle injury, Jake Matthews rebounded well and looks like a foundation player at left tackle. Maybe the best surprise for this team all season was the play of Ryan Schraeder at right tackle. With those two, the Falcons should be set for years to come at the tackle spots.

Jon Asamoah and Justin Blalock are a solid pair of starting guards, but adding one more interior body would be smart here.

Offseason fixes for Atlanta Falcons - NFL - ESPN
By Matt Williamson

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Most of those are true...my notes.

1. No brainer...look for one of the two highly touted DEs or OLBs in the draft to go to ATL with the 8th pick and I don't expect them to stop there...they will likely spend some FA $ on a pass rusher as well...1st thing is to figure is are they going full fledged 3-4 or not.

2. OFC...this unit is not that far away. Toilolo hasn't developed into a proven pass catcher yet, but most of this season he had to help out on the OL...I still think he has potential as a RZ producer. Sjax probably won't/shouldn't be back...Freeman is a legit NFL RB imo, but not a 20 touch a game player...I might look at a guy like Frank Gore to come in and be a 12-15 touch a game guy.

3. I really felt the secondary was better than avg considering the DL pressure...Trufant is quietly becoming a topshelf CB...Alford naturally gets a lot more targets, but he's no slouch...starter material...they need to upgrade the slot, and figure out SS...Moore is a very good player, but having trouble staying on the field with his physical style of play. Lowery was sufficient

4. OL...injuries hit C, RT especially hard again...Matthews adjusted well after switching from RT to LT, that's his job now...the OGs are okay, the problem is Baker...tought to cut his contract and he's proving that it's tough for him to stay on the field. If Baker can't recover from a bad knee...look for them to target RT in FA or draft.

 

[night]

I'd rather go after a linebacker or two than defensive backs. I honestly think it would be foolish to go after Gurley when it's not necessary. Either way, it wouldn't make much of a difference if the o-line is still struggling. As far as the offense goes maybe we can get a decent tight end in a middle round.