Atlanta Falcons Free Agency: Grading Every Move the Falcons Made

The Atlanta Falcons have made quite a few moves this offseason, and a few non-moves as well. Some Falcons fans have freaked out because the team hasn't made a huge free agency signing, but has re-signed a lot of players. Expect the team to continue this pattern for years to come.

The Falcons will be looking to build through the draft this offseason. Let's kick this slideshow off and start dissecting every move the Falcons made this offseason.

Letting MLB Curtis Lofton Walk

Curtis Lofton was the leader of the Falcons defense in 2011. He was the guy who had the green dot on his helmet and made all the defensive calls. He also signed a contract that was above his value as a two-down middle linebacker in the defense.

On the bright side, because Lofton signed a contract of over $6 million a year, he falls into the fourth-round category if he starts all 16 games, which he should. Also, if he makes the Pro Bowl, expect the Falcons to get a third-round compensatory pick for him.

Grade: C

Even though he was thought of by the Falcons as a two-down linebacker, he was a thumping run stuffer and a leader. However, expect Nolan to give the dot to Sean Weatherspoon and have him as the captain.

Letting WR Eric Weems, S James Sanders and CB Kelvin Hayden Leave

Letting Eric Weems, James Sanders and Kelvin Hayden leave was a smart move by the Falcons. Sanders and Hayden don't fit in the new coverage schemes and Weems was replaceable with the new NFL kickoff rules from 2011.

Expect the Falcons to get at least one seventh-round compensatory pick from this group, possibly even two. Tatupu and Manuwai won't count in the compensatory pick equation since they were released by their last teams.

Grade: A+

Always smart to let players who are over 26 and have peaked already leave. All three of these players are primarily special teams players, and should be replaced by draft picks easily in 2012.

TE Tony Gonzalez Re-Signs for the 2012 Season

Tony Gonzalez is the best TE of all time. No one would ever argue that he isn't and in his later years, he has proven to be indestructible. Expect another good year out of Tony G, but also expect the Falcons to finally bring in his successor and have Tony teach him for a year.

Grade: A+

Re-Signed S Thomas Decoud

Thomas DeCoud may not be a fan favorite in Atlanta, but he is definitely more than worth the money the team gave him. He got a five-year, $17.5 million deal, but it's a very cap-friendly deal early on and will only get better later.

For the value that he signed for, it makes a lot of sense and Atlanta got a steal in DeCoud. He has Pro Bowl potential, and just needs to harness his best abilities under Mike Nolan.

Grade: A

Re-Signed TE Michael Palmer, G Andrew Jackson and RB Antone Smith to ERFA Deals

Michael Palmer and Antoine Smith were keys in the special teams unit. They were more than worth their exclusive rights free agent contracts, and the Falcons were smart to bring them back. Andrew Jackson is a guard who knows the scheme for Pat Hill as well.

Good potential signings like this are always good to make. Falcons continue to take care of their own, and it's always smart to keep the right guys.

Grade: B

Re-Signed DE Kroy Biermann and RB Jason Snelling

Very rarely do teams bring back two great depth contributors to deals that combined are less than $15 million over three years. Jason Snelling is worth well over his three year, $4 million deal with his versatility between FB and RB and his special teams play.

Kroy Biermann is a DE who can start in a pinch and also a true heads up player on special teams. Biermann has two interceptions from the DE spot returned for touchdowns over the past two years.

Grade: A

Signed OG Vince Manuwai and LB Lofa Tatupu

The Falcons signed the pair of Pacific Islanders early in the offseason in order to provide depth. Both players provide competition at their respective positions while not breaking the bank for the Falcons.

Lofa Tatupu is a former Pro Bowl middle linebacker who will be competing with Akeem Dent for the starting spot in the middle of the defense this year.

Vince Manuwai is part of the right guard competition with Mike Johnson, Andrew Jackson, Joe Hawley and Garrett Reynolds. Manuwai could very well win the job.

Grade: B

Re-Signed QB Chris Redman and LS Joe Zelenka to Minimum Deals

Chris Redman and Joe Zelenka play crucial roles for the Falcons as the starting long snapper and the backup quarterback. Both players are easily worth deals around $1 million, but signed for the veteran minimum so that they could stay with the Falcons.

Grade: A

Re-Signed WR Harry Douglas

Harry Douglas grew up in the Atlanta area and has been a key contributor for the Falcons his first four years. Expect him to come back as a candidate for the returner job and as the primary slot receiver.

He signed a four-year, $10 million deal and could have easily brought more on the open market. Douglas is more than worth that deal, and should be an impact player in the new offense.

Grade: A

Re-Signed DT Vance Walker

Vance Walker signed his RFA tender, and should see an expanded role in the new defense. Walker has been playing around 30 percent of the snaps the past three years, and should expect to see more playing time in some of the three man fronts.

Grade: B

Re-Signed DE John Abraham

The Falcons brought back John Abraham for a three-year, $16 million deal when he was being offered quite a bit more money from other teams. Pass rushers are at a premium, and he could have gotten a deal worth more than what he signed.

Abraham chose to come back, and the fact that the Falcons keep the NFL's best pure pass rusher from the past three years on the team makes it a great signing in and of itself.

Grade: A

Re-Signed C Todd McClure

Todd McClure, a.k.a. "Mud Duck," is Atlanta longest tenured player. He took a contract that he made just under a million dollars to come back and start one final year in Atlanta. McClure is worth the money as he is still, even in this part of his career, a top-10 center.

Grade: A