With the 2025 NFL free agency period slowly blooming, the Atlanta Falcons are at a critical crossroads when revamping their roster to bring a Super Bowl title home to Atlanta. With multiple key players set to test the waters of free agency, there is an immediate need for the Falcons to strategically upgrade what they lose, while retaining talent to put themselves in a position to hoist the Vince Lombardy trophy in February 2026.
Key Falcons Free Agents
The Atlanta Falcons are at a crossroads, with the talent they have potentially leaving for other franchises.
Drew Dalman
The starting center for the Atlanta Falcons has been a force to be reckoned with as he helped anchor the Offensive line. Between dominating interior lineman with wide zone concepts and simultaneously exploding lineman to the second level and reaching linebackers during inside zone, to simply dropping back in pass protection and setting the depth of the pocket allowing Micheal Penix Jr. enough time to set his feet and deliver strikes all across the field, Drew Dalman is a major contributor to this team that would immediately create a void and affect the chemistry between the offensive line. Drew is a prioritized free agent that the Falcons should look to immediately resign.
Richie Grant
Richie Grant is a safety who has all the tools to be successful. His prior seasons showed that he can produce, however his production had a major drop off from his prior season in 2023. dropping from 103 total tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception to just a measly 14 tackles and 2 pass deflections, the Falcons are at a crossroads as to whether to bring Grant back or allow him to walk. His inconsistent play may be the reason why the Falcons move on to other options at the safety position.
Dee Alford
Dee Alford was inconsistent when it came to the Falcon’s secondary as he struggled during multiple phases of the season. Alford doubled his total tackle amount with 83, added a sack and forced fumble, and tallied 11 PDs while the numbers seem to be amazing, Alford was also responsible for a lot of points and big plays as he struggled to adjust to the Atlanta Falcons new defensive system. Although a restricted free agent, the Falcons are expected to let Alford walk and replace him with more productive talent.
Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons brought a different aspect of leadership to this Atlanta Falcons defense this past year. Simmons is no doubt an elite ball hawk who is feared throughout the league for his elite ability at the safety position. Despite Simmons being praised as an elite safety, he struggled in his first season as a Falcon. He had 62 total tackles, 7 PDs, and 2 interceptions. He graded out at 59.9 which isn’t a great number at all especially when compared to his previous years. Despite his below-average production, his leadership is what doesn’t show in the stat sheet. He was a valuable asset that helped the secondary room.
Needs
There are several holes that the Atlanta Falcons need to fill in order to ensure that the Falcons are a competitive force when the 2025 season kicks off.
Offensive Line: With the offensive line being one of the bright spots of the team, losing Dalman would set the team back expeditiously. Signing an elite center or rolling forward with Ryan Neuliz will be a potential option that would limit the damage to the offensive line. University of Georgia’s Jared Wilson is yet another valuable option that could set the Falcons up for success. He is a potential draft prospect who could help damage control if Dalman steps away.
Secondary reinforcements
Outside of the pass rush, this was the most inconsistent group this past season. There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to Dee Alford, Richie Grant, and Justin Simmons. Jessie Bates III is already a proven elite safety who leads the defense, whether we draft elite talent such as Will Johnson out of Michigan or go into free agency and attack powerful safeties and corners such as Jordan Fuller, Jeremy Chinn, Carlton Davis, or Eric Stokes this will anchor the defense and allow for us to dominate the NFL.
Pass Rush
At the beginning of the season, the Falcons were 31st in pass rush. This number catapulted forward as the Falcons eventually found strides in getting to the quarterback toward the end of the season. With Matthew Judon testing free agency, the Falcons must be aggressive in their pass rush pursuit off the field just as they are in between the white lines. Giving a prove-it deal to chase young could catapult us forward. Resigning Matthew Judon is another possibility, and going all in on Khalil Mack is another lucrative option as the Falcons look to rebuild their relentless pursuit of a championship on the defensive side of the ball.
Final Thoughts
The Atlanta Falcons have an opportunity to truly embrace the task at hand and take major leaps forward this offseason. With key decisions to either retain or move on from multiple targeted free agents, the decisions made this offseason will either set us up or set us back for this upcoming season. Fans will be watching with high anticipation as the front office makes its chess moves to mold the team into the championship-caliber unit that everyone is hoping for.
Written By: Kaleb J. Chester @kalebchester
Instagram: FalconsBlitzSM
[…] that the Falcons copy this recipe and potentially draft a young center such as Georgia Bulldog Jared Wilson. Either way, there is work to be done and time will reveal how the Falcons move […]