The Atlanta Falcons have spent their last four seasons finishing no higher than third place in a winnable NFC South. Now with Raheem Morris back leading the franchise, the first area the 2024 head coach can turn to is free agency to get Atlanta over this current hump.
While Morris is in Indianapolis helping scout the next set of rookies for the Falcons, it won’t be long before he and the team can make free agent signings. With approximately $37 million to work with in the salary cap, how will Morris and Atlanta attack free agency?
Atlanta Falcons Free Agency Predictions
Sign Odell Beckham, Reuniting WR With Raheem Morris
At 31 and coming off a 35-catch campaign with the Baltimore Ravens, Beckham may not command a high market compared to previous years.
But this is perfect for Morris and the Falcons for a number of reasons.
For starters, Morris and Beckham won Super Bowl 56 together while with the Los Angeles Rams. Along with having an area of expertise in defense, Morris also has a background as a WRs coach. Beckham, at this stage in his career, can become a perfect lead-by-example WR Morris needs for that room in this new regime.
Next, Beckham would enter an offense surrounded by intriguing weaponry. Drake London is in the WR room. Kyle Pitts is a recent 1,000-yard target at tight end. Bijan Robinson was added to the backfield last draft and finished second on the team in receptions. Beckham could be intrigued by the list of options here and add a veteran presence.
Sure, OBJ may not be the Pro Bowler he once was (he’s PFN’s No. 9 best free agent WR). But Morris knows his work ethic and attitude — all the more reason he has a potential home in Atlanta. Of course, Beckham and the rest of the offensive targets need to know who’ll throw them the football. That leads to the next prediction.
Monitor Russell Wilson’s Situation and Make a Run
Yes, Kirk Cousins is the popular pick here for Atlanta. Rightfully so, considering his Pro Bowl credentials and how Cousins was in a Rams-like offense with the Minnesota Vikings … an offense Morris is trying to install through new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
But Falcons fans have to understand how adamant the Vikings are about wanting Cousins back. It won’t be easy to lure him away from Minnesota. That’s where you pivot to another prominent name expected to be available by trade or free agency: Russell Wilson.
While Wilson was met with disastrous results with the Denver Broncos, he still managed to post back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons there through the criticism. That should be enough to convince them there’s still plenty left in his arm.
Plus, it’s doubtful Morris would pass on an opportunity to add a nine-time Pro Bowl and past Super Bowl-winning QB.
One scenario that got mapped out is Atlanta completing a draft night trade with the Broncos to gain Wilson and WR Jerry Jeudy, which was presented in this PFN mock draft.
This prevents Morris from needing to turn to a rookie passer to lead his stacked room of explosive options.
MORE: Falcons 2024 Free Agents
But another possibility is Denver cuts Wilson if the Broncos can’t find a trade suitor, which would make Wilson less expensive to add, given his immense $17 million base salary for 2024.
Wilson is nowhere on the list of PFN’s top free agent QBs for 2024, given he’s still under contract by the Broncos. Yet he’s worth putting on the list of possibilities for the Falcons as he faces a nebulous future in the Rocky Mountains.
Make a Dash at Danielle Hunter and Chase Young
Atlanta may have recorded 42 sacks, but no one surpassed the 6.5-sack mark. As Morris knows from coaching Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd, and most recently prized 2023 Rams rookies Kobie Turner and Bryon Young, you need a stout pass rush to make playoff runs.
That’s where making a dash at Danielle Hunter and Chase Young comes into play.
Hunter is likely to garner major free agent attention after putting together a 16.5-sack campaign, including an NFL-best 23 tackles for a loss. But he’ll be 30 next season and may not be as in demand compared to the younger Josh Allen and Brian Burns.
KEEP READING: NFL Reporter Details Atlanta’s Interest in Kirk Cousins
Young, meanwhile, flashed some hot-and-cold moments after the San Francisco 49ers trade but delivered a strong Super Bowl outing despite the loss. Young may be worth a “prove it” one-year deal for 2024, given how he hasn’t matched his epic 2020 rookie season. But he can still intrigue lots of teams needing pass-rush help.
Consider the Falcons as one place in dire need of a pass-rush boost. Hunter and Young are two of the best out there for this market. Morris needs his Donald/Miller and Turner/Young combination in Atlanta. Don’t be surprised if Atlanta goes after two high-profile rushers in free agency.
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