Breaking Down the Contract Needed to Re-Sign Every Atlanta Falcons Free Agent

NFL teams received good news from the league office on Thursday when the NFL announced that the NFL salary cap will increase from $120.6 million in 2012 to $123.9 (with $900,000 minimum salary benefit) in 2013.

Now that the salary cap number has been set, NFL teams can begin to prepare their plans for free agency when the new NFL league year starts on March 12.

The Atlanta Falcons have 14 unrestricted free agents, including key starters like William Moore, Brent Grimes and Sam Baker.  In addition, Tony Gonzalez will have to be re-signed if he decides to come back to Atlanta for another year.

Even though the Falcons have a little room under the $123.9 million dollar cap, they will still likely have to create some cap room by releasing Michael Turner or Dunta Robinson. Extending Matt Ryan's contract will also be a priority if they want to have enough space to comfortably retain their key free-agents, sign their draft picks and pursue a veteran free agent or two on the market.

With that understanding, let's take a look at the contracts the Falcons need to push for when they negotiate with the seven free agents that the team needs to retain if they want to return to the playoffs.

We will look at each player's most recent contract and base our projection for their future deal on the contract of a comparable NFL player who plays the same position.

UPDATE:  D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Falcons will gain approximately $15.9 million dollars in salary cap space after releasing Michael Turner, John Abraham and Dunta Robinson.

All contract and salary cap data obtained via Spotrac.com.

William Moore, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 28

Old Contract: 4 years, $3.4 million dollars

Projected New Contract: 5 years, $18.5 million dollars total with $4 million dollar signing bonus, $3.7 million dollar average annual salary

Comparable Contract: Thomas DeCoud, S, Falcons

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: Approximately $2.2 million ($1.4 million base salary + $800,000 pro-rated signing bonus)

Why He's Worth It:  William Moore emerged as a Pro Bowler this year and made plenty of crucial plays for the Atlanta secondary.  If you turn on the film from the Week 13 game against the Saints you will understand why Dimitroff and company need to get a deal done with Moore.  He should make slightly more than his partner in crime, Thomas DeCoud.

Sam Baker, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 28

Old Contract: 5 years, $13.5 million dollars:

Projected New Contract: 4 years, $14.2 million dollars with $4.5 million dollar signing bonus, $3.56 million average annual salary

Comparable Contract: Travelle Wharton, T, Bengals

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: Approximately $1.95 million ($825,000 base salary + $1.125 million dollar pro-rated signing bonus)

Why He's Worth It:  Baker bounced back from a subpar 2011 with a solid performance in 2012.  Even though the comparable contract belongs to a backup in this comparison, the average annual salary is in Baker's neighborhood.  I don't think it makes a lot of sense to throw Will Beatty-type money at Baker a little over a year removed from his 2011 season.  Baker's agent will probably disagree.

UPDATE:  After today's cuts, I think the Falcons will offer Baker something closer to the 5 year, $25 million dollar deal that Tyson Clabo signed in 2011.  Under that model, Baker would receive a $4 million dollar signing bonus and his average annual salary would be about $5 million dollars.  His 2013 cap hit would be around $2.8 million dollars.

Brent Grimes, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 30

Old Contract: 1 year, $10,281,000 (Franchise Tag)

Projected New Contract: 3 years, $9.75 million dollars with $2.75 million dollar signing bonus, $3.25 million average annual salary

Comparable Contract: Aaron Ross, CB, Jaguars

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: Approximately $1.87 million ($950,000 base salary + $916,666 dollar pro-rated signing bonus)

Why He's Worth It:  With six games against the NFC South and a trip to Green Bay coming in 2013, Atlanta can't have enough quality corners.  Brent Grimes and his agent will want more money on the contract, but they may not get much better on the open market since teams could be hesitant to give a big contract to a 30-year old cornerback who's coming off an Achilles tendon injury.

Tony Gonzalez, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 37

Old Contract: 2 years, $12,650,000

Projected New Contract: 1 year, $3 million dollars fully guaranteed

Comparable Contract: N/A

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: $3 million

Why He's Worth It:  Atlanta needs to do everything they can to secure Tony Gonzalez's commitment for 2013.  Three million dollars in guaranteed money may do the trick.

Vance Walker, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 26

Old Contract: 1 year, $1.26 million dollars

Projected New Contract: 3 years, $3.85 million dollars with $500,000 signing bonus, $1.28 million average annual salary

Comparable Contract: Sean Lissemore, DT, Cowboys

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: Approximately $867,000 ($700,000 base salary + $167,000 signing bonus)

Why He's Worth It:  Vance Walker has steadily worked his way into the Falcons' defense line rotation, and he should continue to be a solid contributor to Atlanta's defensive front.  This would represent a well-deserved pay raise and a little more job security for Walker.

Garrett Reynolds, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 28

Old Contract: 4 years, $1.93 million dollars

Projected New Contract: 3 years, $2.04 million dollars with $400,000 signing bonus, $680,556 million average annual salary

Comparable Contract: Garry Williams, G/T, Panthers

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: Approximately $613,333 ($480,000 base salary + $133,333 signing bonus)

Why He's Worth It:  Garrett Reynolds was having a solid season before his injury, and the Falcons should keep him around because of his versatility.  This would be a very reasonable contract.

Christopher Owens, UFA

Age at Start of 2013 Season: 26

Old Contract: 4 years, $2.43 million dollars

Projected New Contract: 1 year, $850,000

Comparable Contract: Justin King, CB, Steelers

Estimated 2013 Cap Hit: $850,000

Why He's Worth It:  Chris Owens has some limitations, but he is a quality backup who is worth keeping on the roster.  Even though it is a one-year deal, it would represent a slight raise over what Owens earned in 2012 ($787,175). 

You can never have too much depth at corner. 

Follow @AlBruce7