4 remaining positions of need for the Falcons

Defensive tackle

This is a group you could continue to add to indefinitely. The Falcons rotate heavily, and while they have a bunch of promising players and capable dudes, they don’t necessarily have the depth to weather losses. Zach Harrison and Brandon Dorlus are returning from injuries, LaCale London has dealt with injuries as well in his time in Atlanta, and Da’Shawn Hand landed on injured reserve for part of last year as well. The Falcons like Anterio Thompson, but I’m not sure they want him pressed into major snaps early in his rookie season. Zacch Pickens, recently released by the Chiefs, would be an interesting choice as a capable rotational defensive tackle who got his start with Ian Cunningham’s Bears; most of the options out there are older guys who would be best in early down roles.

EDGE

The Falcons added a lot to this group in anticipation of losing James Pearce Jr.—and letting multiple players walk—and a totally healthy, available group with Pearce, Jalon Walker, Samson Ebukam, Azeez Ojulari, Bralen Trice, and Cameron Thomas is solid. Throw DeAngelo Malone in there if you like. Given that we’re looking at an inevitable Pearce suspension and real questions about whether Trice will ever suit up for Atlanta, there’s room for a signing here to take snaps early in the season. The trick here is that unless Pearce is out all season, you probably don’t want a splash signing that will cost lots of money and crowd out the likes of Ebukam and Ojulari. Marcus Davenport (I know, I know) and Preston Smith would fit the bill as cheap, seasoned options, but there is plenty of talent out there right now if the Falcons do want to take a bigger swing. Free agency to this point suggests they probably won’t, though.

Wide receiver

I’m excited about the addition of Zachariah Branch and probably more bullish on Jahan Dotson than most. That said, the Falcons don’t have a proven WR2 on the roster, and their depth options beyond WR4 (Olamide Zaccheaus) are about the same as they were a year ago. It’s not an inspiring group, which may clue us in to why the Falcons brought aboard five undrafted free agent receivers. I don’t think the Falcons are likely to make any significant investments in this group, but proven depth for that WR4/5 role is not out of the question. As is the case with EDGE, there’s actually plenty of talent out there, with Tim Patrick looking particularly intriguing as an affordable, experienced option with compelling size (6’5”, 210 pounds) and a track record of solid production.