Advertisement

ESPN lists Falcons as ideal landing spot for 3 top free agents

matt urben
·2 min read
3

The Atlanta Falcons have a new head coach in Raheem Morris, and before the offseason is over, they will likely have a new starting quarterback as well. The biggest question remaining is how the team will go about acquiring its next signal-caller.

Will the Falcons draft one of the top college prospects, trade for Bears QB Justin Fields, or look to sign a new starter in free agency? All options are on the table, but ESPN thinks one of the top free-agent quarterbacks would be a great fit in Atlanta.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed the best team fits for the top 50 NFL free agents. The Falcons were named as an ideal landing spot for three players, including veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.

QB Kirk Cousins (Free agent rank: No. 3)

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Vikings should be in the mix to re-sign Cousins, but I think he fits really well with Atlanta under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (who worked under Sean McVay in Los Angeles). It works well for Cousins in both the play-action and dropback passing game. Before tearing his right Achilles in Week 8, Cousins was completing 69.5% of his throws and had 18 touchdown passes to five interceptions. He would be an upgrade under center for an Atlanta offense that has plenty of young offensive skill talent in Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. — Matt Bowen, ESPN

Cousins will be 36 when the 2024 season begins and he’s coming off a torn Achilles tendon. Plus, his price tag could limit the team’s cap flexibility going forward. Would the Falcons take a chance on Cousins? Prior to 2023, Cousins had thrown for at least 25 touchdown passes in eight straight seasons. While he can still perform at a high level, Cousins wouldn’t be the best long-term solution for Atlanta.

LB Devin White (Free agent rank: No. 47)

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

White could use his second-level range to make plays in both the run and pass games, while also being deployed as a blitzer in the Falcons’ loaded fronts. He has 23 career sacks over five seasons with Tampa Bay, and new Falcons coach Raheem Morris could scheme him up to maximize his skill set. — Matt Bowen, ESPN

White is a talented player and he would potentially be a good fit in Raheem Morris’ defense. However, it’s hard to see the team spending much money at linebacker with both Nate Landman and Troy Andersen on the roster.

EDGE Josh Uche (Free agent rank: No. 47)

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Morris could get his sub-package pass-rusher here with Uche, who posted 18.5 sacks over four seasons with the Patriots, including a career-high 11.5 in 2022. He’s sudden off the ball, with the ability to close on the quarterback. And in Morris’ system, Uche could be schemed off stunts to loop inside. — Matt Bowen, ESPN

Uche is an interesting option and he would make some sense in Atlanta. Despite making progress in 2023, the Falcons pass rush still needs some help. It will likely come down to Uche’s asking price and whether or not the team selects an edge rusher in the early rounds of the 2024 draft.

Story originally appeared on Falcons Wire