With the Falcons having approximately $10million of available cap space they have some tough decisions to make on their impending free agents and will need to free up some cash space.
I'm taking a view on the major free agents here before seeing how the Falcons could free up cash via release/re-structure of guys on the roster currently under contract
Free Agents :
Must Sign
TE Austin Hooper (2019 cap $2,218,000, projected 2020 cap hit $10m)
Hooper is likely the Falcons major off season retention priority. It's going to cost to retain him though. He'll be looking for a contract in the region of a Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, Jordan Reed paygrade which could be prohibitive for the Falcons. They'll need moves elsewhere to make this happen.
Should Sign
DE Adrian Clayborn (2019 salary $1,960,000, projected 2020 cap hit $2m)
A solid part of the rotation, if Clayborn is to return it will need to be at the right price. The Falcs need to address their pass rush and a vet leader like Clayborn might be worth the cash if the 32yr old is willing to come back and provide depth and guidance to an early round draft pick.
RB Kenjon Barner (2019 salary $895,000, projected 2020 hit $1.25m)
Barner brought a bit of excitement to the return game for the first time in a while. If the price is right this will be a no-brainer
FB Keith Smith (2019 salary $805,000 projected 2020 hit $1m)
A late preseason pick-up from the Raiders, Smith contributed on offense and particularly on special teams.The FB isn't quite extinct in the NFL and I'd like to think Smith can help the Falcs more in 2020.
Could Sign
LB Devondre Campbell (2019 cap $2,166,000, projected 2020 cap hit $3.5m)
Campbell seems to be a favourite of the coaching staff but could likely price himself out of a return to Atlanta. A sometimes liability in coverage, there are rumours of contract talks underway. I'm not sure I see a return, thanks in large part to 2018 6th rounder Foye Oluokon
CB Blidi Wreh Wilson (2019 cap $895,000)
The future of the combative corner will likely depend on the Falcons drafting strategy at corner.
DT Tyeler Davison (2019 salary $895,000, projected 2020 hit $1.5m)
Davison played really well through the first half of the season but fell away towards the back end. A lot will depend on his asking price.
P Ryan Allen (2019 salary $805,000 projected 2020 hit $1.25m)
He doesn't have the leg of a Bosher but impressed with his directional punting and would offer a cap saving if the Falcons move on from Bosher
K Younghoe Koo (2019 salary $645,000 projected 2020 hit $1.25m)
Koo hit on 88% of his FG's after replacing Matt Bryant mid-season. Koo doesn't seem to have that strong a leg but did not harm his chances of a 2020 return.
G/C Wes Schweitzer (2019 salary $2,058,000 projected 2020 hit $2m)
The Falcons have some money invested in the left guard position already with the under performing James Carpenter and Jamon Brown.They know what they'll get with Schweitzer but I'm inclined to think they'll draft a lineman ideally suited at center to groom ahead of Alex Mack's departure who will compete with Brown and Carpenter in his rookie year
Unlikely to Sign
DE Vic Beasley (2019 salary $12.8m)
The Falcons bit the bullet taking the 5th year option on Beasley after a poor 2018. Whilst results weren't terrible, he posted 8 sacks, it was not value for money. He's now 3 full seasons removed from his 15 sack sophomore year and has not developed into THE guy in Atlanta. They'll be a market for Beasley somewhere and a coach who thinks they can get the best from him. A change may suit both parties.
WR Justin Hardy (2019 cap hit $895,000)
A valued contributor at WR and on special teams, Hardy saw his playing time hit with the emergence of 2018 6th rounder Russell Gage. Hardy could be back but there's depth of talent at this position on the roster.
P Matt Bosher (2019 cap hit $2,545,000)
The fanbase, including myself, all love Matt Bosher for both his big leg and his special teams tackles. 2019 was an injury hit year for Bosher, I also don't think his leg is quite what it was. His absence saw a revolving door at the position but importantly for Atlanta proved he could be replaced by someone on a lower salary.
S Sharrod Neasman (2019 salary $720,000)
Kemal Ishmael was preferred ahead of Neasman by the coaching staff and I never really bought into that decision. I personally think Neasman has more upside and would like to see him back in 2020 but think maybe it's not too likely
DE Steven Means (2019 cap hit $895,000)
Onto IR in preseason, it's going to be hard for the 30yr old to get an opportunity on a line likely to undergo overhaul on the offseason
Thanks for the Memories
DL Jack Crawford (2019 cap hit $3,658,000)
A solid 2018 after return from injury, but 2019 was largely forgettable for Crawford. It's time to move on.
Kemal Ishmael (2019 cap hit $895,000)
The versatile safeties greatest asset is his special teams play, but my take was of a guy who was continually exposed in coverage when given playing time in the secondary. He's been a good team contributor for Atlanta but it's the end of the line now.
Potential Cap Casualties
The Should-Do
OL Ty Sambrailo - carrying a base salary in each of 2020 and 2021 in excess of $4m, Sambrailo offers versatility if I'm being kind or is a liability if being less forgiving. The question here should be when, not if. His release now creates $3.7m of cap space, a post-June 1st release allows a pro rata of signing bonus over 2020/2021 so would create $4.7m space. The only caveat here is that Atlanta doesn't have a lot of swing tackle depth behind Sambrailo
TE Luke Stocker - nothing against Stocker who has value as an in-line blocker, but the cap saving of $2.6m simply makes him expendable or a candidate for contract re-structure if he wants to stay in Atlanta.
The Could-Do
DE Allen Bailey - the Falcons could free up around $4m of cash with Bailey's release and this is a position that will go under overhaul in the offseason. Bailey only mustered a single sack and whilst providing run support, he's carrying a relatively high cap number
The Controversial Ones
C Alex Mack - still playing at a decent level, he'll be 35 next year and his release could free up around $8m of cap space. It's a possibility but there is no obvious successor on the roster and don't lose sight of how high a regard Matt Ryan holds Alex Mack, who has handled all the o-line calls since his move from Cleveland back in 2016
CB Desmond Trufant - a $15m cap hit in 2020 with over $10m dead cap money. His release would still free up nearly $5m of cap. Isaiah Oliver began to come on over the back end of the season and a potential early draft pick in the secondary could see this become more feasible
S Keanu Neal - OK this is harsh to list him here and being a DQ favourite is probably an unlikely option, but if sentiment doesn't play a part, then Neal has finished the last 2 years on IR and prior to injury in 2019 looked a half yard off the pace. His release would create $6m of cap space but at only 24 you've got to stick with faith that he'll make a 100% return
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