The Atlanta Falcons have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Falcons will be rebuilding a lackluster defense. With one of the worst cap situations in the NFL, Atlanta will need to make hard decisions as they once again must decide whether to rebuild or try to win at the tail end of Matt Ryan’s career.
Atlanta Falcons Free Agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021-22 NFL season, the Falcons have 27 players with expiring contracts. 22 of them will be unrestricted free agents and five are restricted free agents. Note that all players are unrestricted free agents unless stated
Free Agents: Offense
- AJ McCarron | QB
- Josh Rosen | QB (RFA)
- Cordarrelle Patterson | RB/WR
- Russell Gage | WR
- Tajae Sharpe | WR
- Christian Blake | WR (RFA)
- Olamide Zaccheaus | WR (RFA)
- Hayden Hurst | TE
- Jaeden Graham | TE (RFA)
- Matt Gono | T
- Jason Spriggs | T
- Colby Gossett | G (RFA)
- Josh Andrews | C
Free Agents: Defense/Special Teams
- Dante Fowler Jr. | DE
- Steven Means | DE
- Jonathan Bullard | DE
- Brandon Copeland | LB
- Foyesade Oluokun | LB
- Dorian Etheridge | LB
- Daren Bates | LB
- Isaiah Oliver | CB
- Fabian Moreau | CB
- Erik Harris | S
- Duron Harmon | S
- Josh Harris | LS
- Thomas Morstead | P
- Younghoe Koo | K
Top Falcons offensive free agents
The Falcons’ main free agents on offense come from the skill positions. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Cordarrelle Patterson | RB/WR
One of the best stories of the 2021 season was Cordarrelle Patterson’s age-30 breakout. Already the greatest kick returner in NFL history, the Falcons finally unlocked Patterson’s offensive potential by utilizing him as both a running back and a wide receiver. The problem, now, is they need to pay him if they want to keep him.
Patterson is 31 years old and made just $3 million last season. He is undoubtedly due for a raise, but that may be a challenge for a team that’s already $2 million over the salary cap, according to Spotrac. The Falcons will surely consider re-signing Patterson. Whether they do will depend on the quality of their offer, which will depend on what their plans are for the 2022 season. Even at 31, Patterson will have no shortage of suitors if he hits free agency.
The Falcons’ entire wide receiver depth
In order, here were the most targeted Falcons (excluding running backs) in 2021: Kyle Pitts, Russell Gage, Patterson, Olamide Zaccheaus, Calvin Ridley, Tajae Sharpe, Hayden Hurst, Lee Smith. Currently, Pitts is the only one we are certain is playing football for the Falcons in 2022. There is no guarantee Ridley ever plays football again, and the other five guys are all in need of new contracts.
With Ridley stepping away from football, Gage served as the Falcons’ WR1 in 2021. He made just $654,000. At 26 years old, this is going to be his best chance to secure a long-term deal. The Falcons should have an interest in bringing Gage back but expect him to go with whatever team pays him the most.
Zaccheaus is a restricted free agent, and it remains to be seen whether the Falcons will place a tender on him. I imagine they aren’t opposed to bringing him back, but they also aren’t going out of their way to do so. As for Sharpe, he’s nothing more than a rotational WR5/6 that simply isn’t good enough to make most NFL rosters. Someone will probably sign him, but he shouldn’t make much more than the veteran minimum.
Hurst’s role as the pass-catching tight end was usurped by Pitts. I would be surprised if the Falcons retain him.
Top Falcons defensive free agents
The Falcons’ defensive players hitting free agency are largely role players. This is a unit that needs a serious overhaul either via free agency or the draft — likely both.
Dante Fowler Jr. | DE
The writing was on the wall prior to the 2021 season when the Falcons voided the final year of Fowler’s contract. Fowler took a pay cut to stay with the team last season, but this ending was inevitable. In mid-February, the Falcons officially released Fowler.
The former first-round pick made $15 million in 2021. Still just 28 years old, there remains time for Fowler to revive his career. It just won’t be in Atlanta.
Top Falcons special-teams free agents
Normally, special teams is not important enough to discuss. But sometimes, a prominent kicker is set to hit free agency. That’s exactly what we have here.
Youngkoe Koo | K
After flaming out as a rookie with the Chargers in 2017 and not playing football in 2018, Younghoe Koo has proven to be an excellent kicker over his last three seasons in Atlanta. He missed more field goals in just 6 attempts as a rookie than he has in any individual season with the Falcons.
Having a reliable kicker in the NFL matters. Look for the Falcons to re-sign Koo, who is undoubtedly one of the five best kickers in the NFL.