5 Bargain-Bin Free Agents Who Could Fill Big Holes for the Atlanta Falcons
Reclamation projects.
Injury questions.
Potential breakout stars.
When looking in the bargain bin of free agency, the Atlanta Falcons need to focus on those guys who can make huge impacts despite not signing huge contracts. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots have done just that over the past few years.
They capitalize on these market inefficiencies and enhance them with excellent coaching. Atlanta seemingly has the right coaches. The team needs to bring in the questionable talents who need that second shot they just haven't been given yet to reach their full potential.
OLB Malcolm Smith
1 of 5
Malcolm Smith is a Super Bowl MVP who doesn't look like he will be a huge commodity on the open market during the offseason. That would be a mistake, as linebackers who can play effective coverage are few and far between. The Falcons know this firsthand.
On top of that, Smith played the last two seasons in new head coach Dan Quinn's scheme in Seattle. The Falcons could have an instant translator for the scheme for current players while also filling in one of the two big holes currently in the linebacking corps. Re-signing Sean Weatherspoon should fill the other.
The Falcons should base his deal on Keith Rivers' deal in Buffalo. The two-year "prove-it" contract should become a trend for the NFL due to how effective it is. The following breakdown is ideal for a player of Smith's caliber.
Contract Breakdown
Two years, $4,200,000 ($2,000,000 guaranteed)
$1,000,000 signing bonus
$200,000 second-year roster bonus
2015 Salary: $1,000,000
2016 Salary: $2,000,000
2015 Cap Hit: $1,500,000
2016 Cap Hit: $2,700,000
WR Kenny Britt
2 of 5
It's hard to believe that Kenny Britt is a six-year pro who has been through two teams at just 26 years old. He showed a ton of promise with the St. Louis Rams in 2014 despite a horrible quarterback situation and could use a true mentor to unlock his full potential. He would have that in Terry Robiskie and Roddy White.
White was just 26 when Joe Horn knocked some sense into him and should do the same for Britt. He could be that ideal No. 2 receiver to Julio Jones with his combination of solid route running, 6'3", 228-pound size and deep speed. This could be big reward for minimal risk.
A deal similar to what the Falcons gave to Devin Hester in 2014 would be ideal. Britt has to prove that he can be the No. 2 in order to be kept, but he would still have the opportunity to make solid money as a third or even fourth receiver in the offense should he not reach that potential.
Contract Breakdown
Three years, $10,050,000 ($3,550,000 guaranteed)
$2,550,000 signing bonus
2015 Salary: $1,000,000
2016 Salary: $3,000,000
2017 Salary: $3,500,000
Incentives for yardage, catches and touchdowns would all be set as well.
2015 Cap Hit: $1,850,000
2016 Cap Hit: $2,850,000
2017 Cap Hit: $4,350,000
CB/S Sterling Moore
3 of 5
As he plays now, Sterling Moore is a bigger cornerback (5'10", 202 lbs) who has the range and potential to go off at safety in the Falcons' new scheme. He has speed to cover deep and the instincts to make plays on the ball effectively. Moore's natural ability showed for the Dallas Cowboys as a right corner in 2014.
However, he just felt like he was playing out of position. Moore is ideally that nickel or free safety in the scheme. He has the range, but he gets turned around in man coverage and would ideally play as a free safety covering the deep third for the Falcons
Moore's contract comparison is tough to figure out. His talent level suggests a shot at something big, but giving him job security to compete at nickel and potentially play free safety seems like the best bet to maximize his talents. David Bruton from Denver was the comparison used.
Contract Breakdown
Three years, $5,000,000 ($1,500,000 guaranteed)
$1,500,000 signing bonus
2015 Salary: $1,000,000
2016 Salary: $1,250,000
2017 Salary: $1,250,000
2015 Cap Hit: $1,500,000
2016 Cap Hit: $1,750,000
2017 Cap Hit: $1,750,000
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TE Niles Paul
4 of 5
Niles Paul broke out in 2014 as an H-back type receiver who lined up at tight end, in the slot and just offset from the line of scrimmage. He was able to take advantage of being that fifth option in an offense and second tight end on the line that was better than the third linebacker or fifth pass defender.
Paul needs to improve his hands a bit, as four drops on just 51 targets is a lot. However, he can be an asset for the Falcons as a pass-catching tight end that the Falcons just didn't have in 2014. Paul will have to improve his ability to run-block in the wide-zone scheme and could benefit from the cut blocking.
Paul's best contract comparison would be Andrew Quarless' second contract with the Green Bay Packers. However, since he's shown more than Quarless did throughout his career, the Falcons would have to increase the guaranteed money in the deal. The following deal would be ideal for Paul.
Contract Breakdown
Two years, $3,250,000 ($1,000,000 guaranteed)
$1,000,000 signing bonus
2015 Salary: $850,000
2016 Salary: $1,400,000
2015 Cap Hit: $1,350,000
2016 Cap Hit: $1,900,000
DE Brian Orakpo
5 of 5
As Falcons Central co-host Aaron Freeman states often, there is a difference between "good injured" and "bad injured" players. "Good injured" are guys like Brian Orakpo and John Abraham who can change a game because when they do play, they improve their spot to a Pro Bowl level.
Orakpo—like Abraham—played for a cold-weather team and could benefit from a better training staff and field condition in Atlanta. If he can stay healthy, he is a 10-sack guy every single year who would help change the defense completely by giving the Falcons a pass rush they haven't had since Abraham.
In looking for comparable situations to Orakpo's, Seattle's Cliff Avril had a structure on his two-year version of a "prove-it" deal that makes a ton of sense for Orakpo. The following structure is a slightly more expensive version of that deal that would be a great fit for the Falcons' cap situation.
Contract Breakdown
Two Years, $14,500,000 ($6,500,000 guaranteed)
$5,000,000 signing bonus
$500,000 second-year roster bonus
2015 Salary: $1,500,000 (guaranteed)
2016 Salary: $7,500,000
2015 Cap Hit: $4,000,000
2016 Cap Hit: $10,500,000
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.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft.
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