Atlanta Falcons' Top Pass-Rushing Free-Agency Targets
Atlanta's biggest need for the past two seasons has been a premier pass-rusher who can transform the defense from a horrible one in pass rushing to at least an average one. A good pass-rusher would really boost the Falcons pass defense that ranked last in the NFL in 2014.
Atlanta has some talent to work with on defense, but that premier guy could allow the secondary pass-rushing talents like Jonathan Massaquoi and Stansly Maponga to hit their potential. Five options in free agency will come up as possible solutions for this need; follow along as we go over each one of them.
Brian Orakpo, Washington
1 of 5
Pass-Rushing Stats Over Last Three Seasons: 13 sacks, 17 hits, 45 hurries on 617 pass-rushing snaps
Brian Orakpo could fit the Falcons' new defense in Bruce Irvin's role as a SOLB in base sets and as a defensive end in nickel sets. He has a bit of an injury history, as he's only had 617 pass-rushing snaps over the past three seasons.
However, when he is healthy and on the field, he averages one quarterback disruption for every 8.23 pass rushes—a rate similar to former Falcon John Abraham's. When it comes to an offer, the Falcons need to give Orakpo a contract similar to a two-year prove-it deal like what Joe Hawley signed.
The following structure allows the Falcons to cut Orakpo if he winds up being a poor scheme fit or can't stay healthy. But if he proves to be healthy and effective in the scheme, Atlanta would be more than willing to give him a salary consistent with a top pass-rusher.
Contract Offer: Two years, $13 million
$6.0 million guaranteed, $4.0 million as signing bonus
2015 salary: $2.0 million (fully guaranteed)
2016 salary: $7.0 million
2015 cap hit: $4.0 million
2016 cap hit: $9.0 million
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
Jabaal Sheard, Cleveland Browns
2 of 5
Pass-Rushing Stats Over Last 3 Seasons: 15 sacks, 12 hits, 78 hurries on 1,256 pass-rushing snaps
As a pure pass-rusher, Jabaal Sheard is a good but not great one. He only averages one quarterback disruption per every 11.96 snaps. That rate makes him above-average for the NFL's edge-rushers. Atlanta has to get more than just above average.
Sheard really excels as a run defender. He uses a combination of his quickness and power to set the edge effectively and turns in a great effort on every play. He knows how to disengage blockers and penetrate the backfield effectively.
The structure on this contract is the same as Michael Bennett's because that could be his overall potential in the scheme. He's already a great fit as a run defender and base defensive end. If he could develop his pass-rush skill set more, the Falcons could have a disruptive player off the edge with Sheard.
Contract Offer: Four years, $28 million
$8.0 million guaranteed, $6.0 million signing bonus
2015 Salary: $2.0 million (fully guaranteed)
2016 Salary: $6.5 million
2017 Salary: $6.75 million
2018 Salary: $6.75 million
2015 Cap Hit: $3.5 million
2016 Cap Hit: $8.0 million
2017 Cap Hit: $8.25 million
2018 Cap Hit: $8.25 million
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
Pernell McPhee, Baltimore Ravens
3 of 5
Pass-Rushing Stats Over Last 3 Seasons: 14 sacks, 39 hits, 73 hurries on 990 pass-rushing snaps
Pernell McPhee is another pass-rusher who would be ideal for that same role that Michael Bennett plays in the Seattle-style defensive scheme. He's a rotational guy in Baltimore, rushing from the edge, the interior and even from a standing role.
Atlanta could use him in the same kind of setup as someone who attacks from all sorts of angles and positions. He would be able to use his larger frame and quickness to put pressure on quarterbacks quite often. His rate of one quarterback disruption per 7.86 snaps is a great rate for a pass rusher.
The contract below is almost equal to what Carlos Dunlap signed in Cincinnati. It might be a bit higher than McPhee's true market value, but for someone who could wind up being a great pass-rusher for the scheme, he'd be more than worth the contract when all is said and done.
Contract Offer: Five years, $34 million
$10.0 million guaranteed, $7.5 million signing bonus
2015 Salary: $2.5 million (fully guaranteed)
2016 Salary: $4.5 million
2017 Salary: $5.5 million
2018 Salary: $6.5 million
2019 Salary: $7.5 million
2015 Cap Hit: $4.0 million
2016 Cap Hit: $6.0 million
2017 Cap Hit: $7.0 million
2018 Cap Hit: $8.0 million
2019 Cap Hit: $9.0 million
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
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Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants
4 of 5
Pass-Rushing Stats Over Last 3 Seasons: 22 sacks, 19 hits, 107 hurries on 1,459 pass-rushing snaps
Jason Pierre-Paul is the best pure 4-3 defensive end on the market this offseason. Atlanta should definitely take a look at the biggest name for its biggest need. Pierre-Paul has a great frame and explosion off the ball. He can bend the edge in textbook manner.
But the biggest issue that he has a hot-and-cold motor due to his injury history. You can see when he's labored on the field due to something bugging him and how his play is affected. Nevertheless, Pierre-Paul is a great fit for the scheme that Atlanta should run and would be worth every penny offered.
The contract offer below is lower than what Pierre-Paul will likely see on the market. Despite his name value at the top of the market, Atlanta could get better production from less ridiculous contracts by going with Pernell McPhee or Brian Orakpo than what Pierre-Paul will bring in.
Contract Offer: Five years, $60 million
$20.0 million guaranteed, $15.0 million signing bonus
2015 Salary: $5.0 million (fully guaranteed)
2016 Salary: $8.5 million
2017 Salary: $9.5 million
2018 Salary: $10.5 million
2019 Salary: $11.5 million
2015 Cap Hit: $8.0 million
2016 Cap Hit: $11.5 million
2017 Cap Hit: $12.5 million
2018 Cap Hit: $13.5 million
2019 Cap Hit: $14.5 million
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs
5 of 5
Pass-Rushing Stats Over Last 3 Seasons: 45 sacks, 24 hits, 152 hurries on 1,204 pass-rushing snaps
Justin Houston is the best pass-rusher in the NFL today. He's the reigning sack leader, and his stock won't ever be higher. As someone from the University of Georgia and who grew up in the state, Houston could come home if he moves on from Kansas City to go to Atlanta.
His fit in the Falcons' scheme would allow him to play both outside linebacker and defensive end depending on the packages. His overall athleticism would give Atlanta a great primary pass-rusher that the team hasn't seen since John Abraham's prime seasons in 2008 to 2010.
The contract below would make Houston the highest0paid defensive player in the NFL. His contract would be even more lucrative than J.J. Watt's, but the per-year average would be lower than Mario Williams'. However, for the structure, he'd be cap-friendly for his talent level. The only question at this point is if Kansas City lets him leave.
Contract Offer: Seven years, $102 million
$52.0 million guaranteed, $10.0 million signing bonus, $10.0 million second-year option bonus
2015 Salary: $10.0 million (fully guaranteed)
2016 Salary: $11.0 million (fully guaranteed)
2017 Salary: $11.0 million (fully guaranteed)
2018 Salary: $12.0 million
2019 Salary: $12.0 million
2020 Salary: $12.0 million
2021 Salary: $14.0 million
2015 Cap Hit: $12.0 million
2016 Cap Hit: $15.0 million
2017 Cap Hit: $15.0 million
2018 Cap Hit: $16.0 million
2019 Cap Hit: $16.0 million
2020 Cap Hit: $14.0 million
2021 Cap Hit: $14.0 million
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
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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