2015 Atlanta Falcons: After Deep Cuts, What's the Best Plan for Replacement?

The Atlanta Falcons cut Steven Jackson, Harry Douglas, Justin Blalock and Jonathan Massaquoi on Thursday and Friday without a clear plan on the team to replace them. Over the past two seasons, these four players contributed as either starters or as key role players.

Atlanta needs to figure out the right way to replace each one. There are some potential options on the team at each spot, but it makes more sense for the Falcons to look toward the draft to fill the holes. That, or they should look toward what is looking to be a great free-agent class.

RB Steven Jackson

Hole Opened: Starting Running Back 

Jackson was cut primarily because of how old he is—31—and how much he would save with his cut—$3.75 million. The Falcons didn't need to keep the ever-declining, overpaid running back on their payroll anymore and can use that money to spend on better backs with less wear and tear.

Right away, the first option that stands out is Devonta Freeman. He was a true one-cut-and-go running back when he played in Tallahassee for the 2013 national champion Seminoles. However, he may not be an ideal primary back due to his lack of size and top-level speed.

When it comes to players who could be added to Freeman, zone-style running backs are plentiful in the 2015 draft. Ideal fits are Jay Ajayi from Boise State—who compares to Clinton Portis in the system—and David Johnson out of Northern Iowa—who compares to Ben Tate.

There are also some thoughts that the Falcons could take Todd Gurley at the top of the second if he falls, and he could definitely be a solid pick as well. Atlanta shouldn't look to free agency for running backs just because running backs have such a short shelf-life in the NFL and are easily replaceable.

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

WR Harry Douglas

Hole Opened: Slot Wide Receiver

Douglas was very productive, but with the reduced role of a slot receiver in Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme, it didn't make sense to keep him for the $3.5 million he was going to save on the 2015 cap. Shanahan's No. 3 wide receiver sees the same kind of targets a No. 4 wide receiver did for Atlanta in 2014.

Because of that, Devin Hester would be a perfectly acceptable option for the Falcons No. 3 receiver while they developed some more talent behind Julio Jones and Roddy White at receiver. Ideally, they would also try to develop Bernard Reedy into a more useful receiver than what he was in 2014.

Through the draft, Atlanta has a ton of options, as the wide receiver class is quite deep. Phillip Dorsett from Miami would be a good option as a slot receiver who could move to a No. 2 role early in his career, as is Antwan Goodley from Baylor.

If the Falcons were looking into free agency, Randall Cobb would be an expensive solution to a problem that doesn't need that many resources spent on it. Kenny Britt or Eddie Royal could be cheaper solutions than Douglas would have been, and they could be much more productive.

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OG Justin Blalock

Hole Opened: Starting Left Guard

Blalock wasn't exactly a square peg in a round hole when it came to a zone-blocking scheme, but he was an octagon peg who was making too much money to be in that scheme. Atlanta's saving $3.79 million in 2015 was a huge reason for his cut outside of the poor scheme fit.

Currently, Atlanta has the option of trying Peter Konz at left guard. Konz, a former center, would be moving back to the same kind of scheme that he played in at Wisconsin. His pass blocking and lack of professional-level functional strength would have to be drastically improved for him to start, though.

Two great options that the Falcons have at guard through the draft are Hobart College's Ali Marpet and Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi. Both of them are excellent athletes who have experience at tackle and would fit right into a Shanahan-style, wide-zone scheme at left guard.

Should the Falcons explore a free-agent option, Orlando Franklin would be excellent, as he's already coming from a zone-blocking scheme in Denver. However, Clint Boling comes off as a much better fit for the kind of money Atlanta would be looking to spend, and he's also from Georgia.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

DE Jonathan Massaquoi

Hole Opened: Rotational Pass-Rusher

Unlike the previous three, Massaquoi wasn't cut because of his cap number, as he opened up just $660,000 in cap space. Massaquoi was cut because the Falcons didn't see a need for him on the roster despite him being the best pass-rusher from 2014 under contract.

Considering that the current roster is just Stansly Maponga, Malliciah Goodman, Tyson Jackson, Cliff Matthews, and Tyler Starr as potential defensive ends, the Falcons have a huge need this coming offseason for multiple pass-rushers through the draft or free agency.

Ideally, the Falcons were already spending their top-10 pick on a pass-rusher, but it wouldn't be shocking to see a mid-to late-round pick also spent on a rotational one in this extremely deep class for them. So while Vic Beasley in the top 10 would be nice, also getting Trey Flowers in the fourth wouldn't hurt.

Free-agent starters are abound as well. The Falcons could bring in anyone from Jason Pierre-Paul to Jerry Hughes to Jabaal Sheard to Brandon Graham and easily have an instant starter and leader for their group. Losing Massaquoi—while it's not ideal—makes sense for a new coach who wants to control the locker room.

The Falcons improved within their systems by clearing the space to bring in more talent. Unfortunately, some of these fan favorites will be looking for new teams in 2015. But when a team goes 6-10 a year after going 4-12, wholesale changes are needed, and these are just the tip of the iceberg.

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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