Atlanta Falcons Free Agency: The Moneyball Plan for Quality Depth and Starters

It's safe to say that the Atlanta Falcons have quite a few needs this offseason.

The Falcons may be best served to look into some of the following free agents to fill the holes. Now, this isn't saying that they should take this route for every single one of the suggestions, but the guys that are being selected here are good potential, low-risk players who should command low salaries and tend to have starting experience.

The following positions are the needs that the Falcons have this offseason, and the plan will attack those with low contract types:

Backup Quarterback—Chris Redman is a free agent, and John Wilson is a scary thought as the guy to come in off the bench if Ryan goes down.

Power back with some receiving ability—Turner is a great power back. Jacquizz Rodgers has some receiving ability. The Falcons need someone who can combine both.

Slot Wide Receiver – Harry Douglas is a free agent, and he is the top choice to come back and be the slot-man. But, should the Falcons lose Harry, there are some quality options out there.

Veteran Fourth Wide Receiver/Third down Go-To Guy—This is something the Falcons have been missing since Brian Finneran retired a year ago.

Backup Receiving Tight End—The Falcons haven’t had one since Tony Gonzalez came in, and there is definitely a need for a guy who can come in and help throw defenses off.

Starting Left Tackle—Will Svitek is a quality left tackle, but he definitely isn’t a long-term option. It’s safe to say that this is a spot that might have to wait til next year.

Starting Offensive Guard—Joe Hawley, Garrett Reynolds and Sam Baker all were mediocre at best at right guard in 2011. The Falcons need someone who can play the right guard spot and not get run over by opposing defensive tackles.

Starting Center—Todd McClure isn’t under contract, and Joe Hawley is a young guy who is still raw but should be a good fit long term at center. A one-year stop gap is needed.

Starting Right End—John Abraham got hit by the crazy bus thinking he is worth $12 million a year. So the Falcons have a need for a right end.

Starting Middle Linebacker—Curtis Lofton is a free agent, and the Falcons could possibly let him walk for someone with better coverage ability, but it looks like retaining Lofton is second only to retaining Grimes.

Starting Left Cornerback—Brent Grimes is a free agent, and, should he leave there, is a true need for a starting corner. But retaining Grimes is a top priority according to rumors out of Falcons camp.

Starting Free Safety—Thomas Decoud is a good safety but, like Abraham, Lofton and Grimes, is a free agent. Decoud is looking very likely to return though.

Backup Coverage Safety—James Sanders was solid against the run but was bad in coverage. The Falcons would be best suited to find a equitable replacement.

The worst thing about this list is the amount of starting spots that are listed. But with this plan, the Falcons can find some good depth and possibly even some starting-caliber surprises.

Backup Quarterback: Rex Grossman

Grossman is below average as a starter, but he is easily one of the better backup QB's in the NFL. He is a game manager and is used to playing in the more spread out offenses since his days as the Florida Gators' starting quarterback.

Dirk Koetter will enjoy having his veteran presence on the bench, and Grossman should come pretty cheaply.

Projected contract: Two years, $3.5 million

Power and Receiving Back: Jason Snelling

The Falcons enjoy having a guy who can play fullback, be the power runner, can catch and run with the ball and even help block on some screens.

Jason Snelling has had this role the past four years, and I don't see it changing now. Snelling could end up being the true feature back if Atlanta decides to cut Turner in future years.

Projected contract: One year, $1.1 million

Slot Wide Receiver: Harry Douglas

Harry Douglas is going to be the best value on the market for the slot receiver spot. He's a quick, reliable receiver and knows how to get into open holes in the zones. Also, he is a good return man if it comes down to it.

Douglas should get a good bit of interest on the open market but has said he doesn't want to leave.

Projected contract: Three years, $10 million

No. 4 and Third Down WR: Plaxico Burress

Atlanta has been missing a third down go-to type since Brian Finneran retired in early 2011.

Plaxico isn't what he used to be, but he could still be a great fit as a No. 4 WR and third down and red zone specialist. He's a big target with great hands and gets good separation despite his speed decrease.

Projected Contract: One year, $2 million

Backup Receiving TE: Visanthe Shiancoe

Shiancoe has been the top TE in Minnesota for a few years now, but with them drafting Kyle Rudolph, he has since taken a back seat. He's a good fit as more of a joker style TE and can be used as an H-back as well as a TE.

Projected Contract: Two years, $5 million

Starting Left Tackle: Anthony Collins

Anthony Collins has been excellent in pass protection as a reserve offensive tackle up in Cincinnati.

In Atlanta, he wouldn't be stuck behind a top-five left tackle and could truly fulfill his potential. Collins is a great fit pass blocking-wise for the new offensive line schemes under Pat Hill but needs work in run blocking, which is Pat Hill's specialty.

Projected Contract: Four years, $12 million

Starting Offensive Guard: Nate Livings

Nate Livings is one of those guys that is definitely a good pass blocker but leaves a lot to be desired as a run blocker. He has the girth and strength to hold up against some of the best defensive tackles and will do better as a right guard than at the left guard spot he was at in Cincinnati.

Projected Contract: Two years, $2 million

Starting Center: Todd McClure

Todd McClure is nearing the end of his career. He is arguably the best center in Falcons' history and is definitely a guy who deserved a Pro Bowl nod but never got it in his career. He's the unquestioned leader on the offensive line and is hungry for a playoff win once again.

Projected Contract: One years, $1.5 million

Starting Right End: Mark Anderson

Anderson shocked this past year with 10 sacks in limited duty. He could fit the same role that John Abraham did.

With New England heading back to the 3-4, it's safe to say that Anderson will be heading back to a 4-3 team and could end up as more of a situational pass rusher in Atlanta with Sidbury winning the starting job.

Projected Contract: Two years, $7.5 million

Starting Middle Linebacker: Jonathan Goff

Jonathan Goff is primarily a run-stuffing middle linebacker and is a defensive general. He's quick in coverage and has the ability to read the offense quickly.

He is coming off of an ACL injury, however, and could drop in value due to that.

Projected Contract: Two years, $4 million

Starting Left Cornerback: Terrell Thomas

Terrell Thomas was one of the top corners in the NFL in the 2010 season. He had a bad ACL injury right before the 2011 season.

Thomas is excellent in coverage and can play all schemes from man, zone and even press man. He should be a good value under a very incentive-laden contract with low base numbers.

Projected Contract: Two years, $8 million

Starting Free Safety: Reggie Nelson

Reggie Nelson is a starting-caliber safety in the NFL but had his best years under Mike Smith. He would be an excellent fit in the "eraser" role he played in Florida as a deep safety.

Bringing in Nelson would be cost effective, as most view him in the average range around the NFL, but he could be a pro bowler under Mike Nolan and Mike Smith.

Projected Contract: Four years, $12 million

Backup Coverage Safety: Jarrad Page

Page is a four-year starter in the NFL and has played both strong and free safety spots in a variety of defenses. Page can be a great backup as he is starting caliber and would allow William Moore to continue his reckless style of play without concern for injuries.

Projected Contract: Two years, $3 million

Return Specialist: Ted Ginn Jr.

Eric Weems is a very solid return man, but Atlanta could upgrade and add a backup WR all at the same time with Ginn.

Ginn is a former two-way star from Ohio State and is not going to break the bank. The 49ers had to play their backup return man because Ginn had injuries late in the year, and it probably cost them the NFC title by not having a sure-handed return man.

Projected Contract: Two years, $3.5 million