I posted a list of the Falcons impending free agents earlier this week. Today, we will play a little game of Buy or Sell with that group. I won’t mention all of the players that are not under contract for next season — excluding some of the lesser names — but I will give my thoughts on whether the Falcons should retain guys that played a significant role in 2020.
Alex Mack
Buy or Sell: Sell
I love Mack — what Falcons fan doesn’t? However, it looks like he might just hang it up after this season, and even if he doesn’t, he would probably enjoy the opportunity to latch on to a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Perhaps he’d like one final ride with the Falcons, but my gut tells me his career in Atlanta is over.
Keanu Neal
Buy or Sell: Sell
This is probably the toughest decision for me on the entire list. After the first few weeks of the season, I would have had no problem saying goodbye to Keanu Neal, but he eventually turned into one of the most reliable players on the defense. Losing him would be gut-wrenching, especially with Ricardo Allen and Damontae Kazee potentially exiting this offseason as well. However, his price tag and injury history could deter a new regime that does not have an attachment to him like Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff would have.
Damontae Kazee
Buy or Sell: Buy
Kazee tore his Achilles early in the season, but up until that point, it was clear he was one of Atlanta’s starting safeties, as he played more snaps than Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal. With Neal and Allen likely gone this offseason, the Falcons will probably want to retain one of their safeties, and Kazee might make the most sense — given his talent and price tag.
Brian Hill
Buy or Sell: Sell
Hill has been decent for Atlanta over his career, but he is nothing special. It’s time for the Falcons to upgrade at this position through the draft. I wouldn’t be surprised if they selected two running backs.
Justin McCray
Buy or Sell: Sell
McCray was pretty underwhelming when forced into action this past season. Perhaps the new regime elects to bring him back as offensive line depth, but I doubt it.
Charles Harris
Buy or Sell: Sell
Harris was decent at times when on the field, but I don’t see much of a reason to bring him back.
Darqueze Dennard
Buy or Sell: Buy
Dennard was the Falcons second-best corner when he was healthy, and they were paying him under $1 million. If he’s available at a similar price, Atlanta should retain him.
Todd Gurley
Buy or Sell: Sell
Sell… NEXT. No, but for real — Gurley was awful in 2020. Maybe another team takes a shot on him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he hangs it up after this season. He has lost that much, which is sad because it seemed like he was on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Buy or Sell: Buy
Wreh-Wilson has been a very quality depth piece at the cornerback position for years. Hopefully, that doesn’t change, but it might under a new regime.
Luke Stocker
Buy or Sell: Sell
Stocker has been pretty useless during his two seasons with the Falcons. I doubt he is back in 2021.
Steven Means
Buy or Sell: Buy
Means may not be the most talented pass rusher, but he brings energy and heart, something the defensive line is severely lacking. I would definitely like to see him return next season.
Younghoe Koo
Buy or Sell: Buy
Koo is a Pro-Bowler for a reason. There’s no reason the Falcons shouldn’t work out a contract extension with him.
Matt Gono
Buy or Sell: Buy
As a restricted free agent, it makes sense for the Falcons to keep him around as quality depth at both tackle and guard.
Laquon Treadwell
Buy or Sell: Sell
Treadwell was decent when he was on the field, but the fact that he was used so sparingly — even with all the injuries at the wide receiver position — is telling. The Falcons should move on.
Sharrod Neasman
Buy or Sell: Buy
Neasman provides quality depth at safety — something the Falcons need with Kazee and Neal set to become free agents, and Ricardo Allen potentially being cut.
Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
Buy or Sell: Buy
A lot like Steven Means — Tuioti-Mariner brings energy to the defensive line. He should be back in Atlanta.
Jaeden Graham
Buy or Sell: Buy
Disappointed we did not see more of Graham this year. Hopefully, that changes with the new regime.
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