The Falcons’ top NFL free agency targets at the start of the 2025 offseason

The The Atlanta Falcons are far from the worst team in the NFL, but are in limbo after missing the 2024-25 playoffs. After a frustrating end to the 2024 season, the Falcons have a lot of work to do in the upcoming offseason, starting in 2025. NFL free agency window, which opens in March.

By switching the offense to Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons have a lot of pieces to work with on both sides of the ball. Bian Robinson and Drake London attack Penix offensively and construct a strong 1-2 shot. Defensively, AJ Terrell, Grady Jarrett and Jesse Bates III give Raheem Morris the building blocks to move forward.

Regardless, neither the Falcons’ offense nor defense have been perfect in 2024. The team has slipped on a streak, going 2-6 in its last eight games and effectively ceding the division to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Change is brewing for Atlanta all around with the Penix Era taking full shape in 2025.

However, as aggressive as they want to be, the Falcons they don’t have much cover space. They will likely let expensive veterans Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons walk, but will still be on the books for Kirk Cousins’ huge contract until 2027

Atlanta is in a better situation than most other rebuilding teams, but its glaring weaknesses ultimately put it at a disadvantage entering the offseason. Terry Fontenot has a lot to do with little wiggle room.

OLB Joshua Uche should be the Falcons’ priority in free agency

Joshua Uche had a strange 2024. In his fifth year in the league, the rushing attack was changed. from the New England Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefsonly to be buried on the depth chart. His inconsistent campaign makes him one of the most intriguing free agents available this summer.

Despite the regression on paper, Uche is just two years away from an 11.5-sack season in 2022. But with just five total sacks over the last two seasons, that may have been the case. Still, any player would struggle under the uncomfortable conditions they faced in 2024.

With Judon expected to walk, the Falcons have a big need at shortstop. Arnold Ebicetti, who led the team with six sacks in 2024, will return, but Lorenzo Carter is also out of contract. Maybe Carter re-signs, but he should be a backup option, not a priority.

On the plus side for the Falcons, Uche’s roller coaster ride in 2023 and 2024 makes him one of the top options in free agency. There is a good chance it will fail, but the upside is too much to ignore. Unless Uche demands more than he’s currently worth, he should be one of Fontenot’s priorities in March.

Even if it’s not Uche, Atlanta needs to get the upper hand. Khalil Mack, Joe Tiron-Shoinka and Dennis Gardeck could also be intriguing targets. Uche appears to have the most value as a low-risk, high-reward talent who is still just 26 years old.

TE Tommy Tremble would complement Kyle Pitts

Kyle Pitts is still under contract through 2025, but it’s hard to see how Fontenot and Morris have faith in him at this point in his career. Poor quarterback play has been the narrative of his career, but even with Cousins ​​and Pennix throwing to him, Pitts had fewer receiving yards in 2024 than in 2023.

The Falcons won’t want to splurge on another close game, but they should definitely consider investing in a quality veteran. Their budget isn’t wide enough to land a title-stealing acquisition at the position, but it’s enough to sign someone who should at least push the Pitts.

Tommy Tremble is the perfect candidate for their needs. His rookie contract with the Carolina Panthers is up in 2024, and the team appears ready to move forward with Ja’Tavion Sanders. Tremble hasn’t done enough to warrant much more than a minimum contract, but he’s been a starter his entire career. There shouldn’t be much competition to sign him, which ideally should make it easy to nab Fontenot.

With just 782 career receiving yards, Tremble isn’t as big a threat as Pitts. However, he provides strength and mobility as a blocker that Pitts never had and is competent enough as a receiver in the middle of the field. If the Falcons are willing to move on from the Pitts, they can move on from Tremblay. It probably won’t happen, but few four-year starters come as cheap as Tremble.

OC Zac Robinson could be reunited with VR Tutu Atwell

London and Darnell Mooney, the Falcons’ top two receivers in 2024, will both return in 2025, allowing Penix to continue working with his top targets. The concern will be Rondall Moore’s upcoming free agency. Moore was brought in to start alongside London and Mooney but missed the entire season with a knee injury.

Behind London and Mooney, no other receiver on the roster has done enough to keep Atlanta safe. The offseason goal should be to build around Penix, who thrived as a passer from the field in college. Acquiring a deep threat should be on Zach Robinson’s offseason wish list.

Prior to accepting the position with the Falcons, Robinson was the Los Angeles Rams’ pass coordinator. There he worked with Tutu Atwell, who continued to improve every year. Atwell now hits free agency, where he could potentially reunite with Robinson in Atlanta.

Atwell’s teammate, DeMarcus Robinson, will also be a free agent. Both are viable options for Robinson as the Rams’ two deep threats to complement Puck Natsu and Cooper Kupp. Atwell has just been a more consistent target. Regardless, both should command a similar asking price in the offseason.

The Falcons should take on veteran safety Vonn Bell in the offseason

With Simmons likely leaving in the offseason, the Falcons will need to find a complementary safety to line up next to Bates in 2025. It’s not a position Fontenot will want to be charged too much money to get, but he clearly valued a proven signing veterans. Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell fits that mold.

Bell, 30, brought in just over $1 million in 2024, making him one of the most affordable options on the market. He still appeared in all 17 games this year, but was edged out on the depth chart by second-year Jordan Battle. With the wealth of young talent Cincinnati has on the back burner, Bell is unlikely to be re-signed.

Even if Simmons re-signs, Bell would be a valuable depth piece for Morris’ defense. The Falcons used Richie Grant in that role in 2024, who is also expected to hit free agency.