Atlanta Free Agents: What Will It Take to Keep Key Falcons?
With the offseason looming, free agency will be a big question for the Atlanta Falcons. Luckily, they have nearly 30 million in cap space available, according to Spotrac calculations. They also have very few free agents who should cost over the minimum despite having quite a few of them.
Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com provided a great list of how the Falcons free agents break down for this coming season. They break down into unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights free agents. The restricted free agent is wide receiver Drew Davis, and he should be allowed to walk.
The exclusive rights free agents should be brought back because they only require a one-year, minimum-level contract for their time of service in the NFL. The current ones for Atlanta are fullback Patrick DiMarco and linebacker Nate Stupar. Unrestricted free agents are the toughest ones to re-sign.
Quarterback T.J. Yates, wide receiver/special teamer Eric Weems, tight end Bear Pascoe, defensive lineman Cliff Matthews, offensive linemen Mike Johnson, Gabe Carimi and Jonathan Scott, cornerback Josh Wilson, safety Charles Godfrey and cornerback Javier Arenas shouldn't be brought back unless it's at a minimum salary.
Running backs Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith, defensive end Osi Umenyiora and DE/LB Kroy Biermann also shouldn't be re-signed unless it's for deals that are close to the minimum. That leaves just five unique situations for the Atlanta Falcons: defensive tackle Corey Peters, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, cornerback Robert McClain, safety Dwight Lowery and place-kicker Matt Bryant.
DL Corey Peters
1 of 5
Corey Peters has been an asset to the Falcons run and pass defense over the past five seasons. After suffering an Achilles tendon injury late in the 2013 season, he bounced back and showed that he was worth more playing time than big-time free agent Tyson Jackson. Unfortunately, Jackson isn't likely to be cut due to his current contract situation.
The reason why the following contract would be offered is that it's essentially the same deal Tyson Jackson was given. The only difference is that it's a four-year version with more guaranteed money. Peters is going to turn 27 before the 2015 season, and this deal would make him a free agent once again at age 30. For a defensive tackle, it wouldn't be a death knell for his NFL career.
Contract: Four Years, $20.0 million ($12.0 Million Guaranteed)
$7.0 million signing bonus
$2.25 million salary in 2015 (completely guaranteed)
$2.75 million salary in 2016 (completely guaranteed)
$3.75 million salary in 2017
$4.25 million salary in 2018
2015 cap hit: $4.0 million
2016 cap hit: $4.5 million
2017 cap hit: $5.5 million
2018 cap hit: $6.0 million
LB Sean Weatherspoon
2 of 5
Sean Weatherspoon has been the heart and soul of the Atlanta Falcons defense over the past five seasons. Unfortunately, he hasn't played more than seven games over the past two seasons. That's tough for a guy who—when healthy—has shown to be one of the best linebackers in the modern NFL. Weatherspoon is someone who can get after quarterbacks, play effectively in coverage and stuff the run.
The Falcons could use him next to an emerging Paul Worrilow in their defense. However, it's going to be tough to give someone a massive contract when he hasn't played much. The solution is a one-year, prove-it-style deal—the kind of deal that incentives his health but still makes sure that he's taken care of for a season for his past service to the team.
The reason why the deal would be structured as listed below is if he can be on the active roster and play every single game, the Falcons could easily see his value at $5.0 million in cash. And to get around the cap, Atlanta would be able to consider those per-game bonuses not likely to be earned. So even if he did hit them, they wouldn't count toward the cap unless they were part of his next contract.
Contract: One Year, $2.0 million (Potential to Reach $5.0 Million Cash Payout)
$2.0 million salary in 2015
$3.0 million in $187,500 per-game active roster bonuses
2015 cap hit: $2.0 million
CB Robert McClain
3 of 5
Robert McClain burst onto the scene in 2012 when he intercepted Peyton Manning and played excellent nickel coverage for the Atlanta Falcons en route to their NFC title game appearance. However, over the past two seasons, he has struggled a bit due to the lack of a pass rush up front. McClain has shown to be a solid depth option, however, and should be retained.
Using Adam "Pacman" Jones' contract as a good comparison for McClain's role with the Falcons, Atlanta could keep McClain for much cheaper than some would expect. As a depth corner for the Falcons for three seasons and someone who has shown that he's a solid role player for a team, Atlanta should be more than willing to keep him for what will be just over 1 percent of the projected cap.
Contract: Three Years, $6.0 million ($1.5 Million Guaranteed)
$1.5 million signing bonus
$1.0 million salary in 2015
$1.5 million salary in 2016
$2.0 million salary in 2017
2015 cap hit: $1.5 million
2016 cap hit: $2.0 million
2017 cap hit: $2.5 million
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FS Dwight Lowery
4 of 5
The best contractual comparison for Dwight Lowery would be someone like Barry Church and the last three years of the deal he signed back in 2012. Adjusting for inflation and Lowery being somewhat better in coverage, the deal breaks down as a win-win for both the Falcons and Lowery. He'd get enough money to set his family for life while also sticking around in a place that he wants to make his new home.
In an interview with ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure, Lowery mentioned that he enjoyed playing for the Falcons and that he's grateful for the opportunity to resuscitate his career. The Falcons defense loved playing with someone who was as resilient as Lowery, and with what is arguably the best season of his career, the Falcons need to keep Lowery as a starter until Dezmen Southward is ready for the role.
Contract: Three Years, $9.25 Million ($3.25 Million Guaranteed)
$2.25 million signing bonus
$2.0 million salary in 2015 ($1.0 million of it guaranteed)
$2.0 million salary in 2016
$3.0 million salary in 2017
2015 cap hit: $2.75 million
2016 cap hit: $2.75 million
2017 cap hit: $3.75 million
K Matt Bryant
5 of 5
Matt Bryant is one of the best kickers in today's NFL. After missing just three kicks all season, the Falcons need to retain someone who has shown to be the best clutch kicker in the game over the past five seasons. Bryant's only three misses this season were from over 50 yards too. He's more than worth keeping. He's the best kicker the Falcons have a shot at for the 2015 season.
So to keep Bryant, the Falcons will have to offer him something toward the top of the kicking market. The last two seasons of Stephen Gostkowski's deal look exactly like what Bryant's new contract should look like. Luckily, even the top of the kicking market isn't going to kill the Falcons' cap situation. Atlanta could get away with offering Bryant the following deal and having both sides happy.
Contract: Two Years, $7.5 Million
$2 million in signing bonus
$1.75 million in salary for 2015
$3.75 million in salary for 2016
2015 cap hit: $2.75 million
2016 cap hit: $4.75 million
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro-day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.
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