Falcons 2023 Offseason Overhaul: Cornerbacks

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We’ve reached the penultimate edition of this series and still have a first round pick in our pockets as well as a good bit of cap space to spend. The Falcons have had troubles in the secondary for years, and now, I’m looking to get AJ Terrell his running mate and help patch up a defense that has been thrown on at will. All figures are via Over The Cap.

If you want to check out my articles from my previous offseason series — One Free Agent, One Draft Pick, and One Trade — those will be linked below:

Previous editions of this series are listed below:

Current Cornerback Roster:

CB AJ Terrell

CB Darren Hall

CB Casey Hayward

CB Dee Alford

The Falcons have a few guys hitting free agency, including Isaiah Oliver, who I want back. I don’t think that this is the free agency class to make a big splash in. Casey Hayward could be a cut candidate, but that may end up being a bit of a lateral move. Let’s look at who could be available for Atlanta.

 

Re-Sign Isaiah Oliver

Even with the injury bug, Isaiah Oliver played well for the second year in a row. I want to offer another prove it deal, but I’m sure he’s looking for some security. Something backloaded with incentives would work nicely here.

Isaiah Oliver re-signs for 2 years, $12 million

 

Sign Greedy Williams

The Falcons need some bodies in the secondary, and Williams has been shuffled out in Cleveland. Still, he’s only 25 years old and has some upside as an outside corner. I like giving him a shot in Atlanta to see if he can make something happen on a prove-it deal.

Greedy Williams signs for one year, $2 million

 

Draft Devon Witherspoon

Finally, using the first round pick. In my Offseason Mock Draft 1.0, I had the Falcons snagging Joey Porter Jr., but I’m torn between him, Witherspoon, and Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez. I’m going to give the edge to Witherspoon here, who is an absolute dawg at the position. Witherspoon has the perfect blend of physicality, aggressiveness, and ball skills you want in an NFL cornerback. He has also cut his teeth on special teams, which I know will appeal to the Falcons. The Illinois product is absolutely in play with pick 8.

I’m a big fan of his game, and it should help this Falcons secondary immediately with a potential plug-and-play starter.

The Falcons select Devon Witherspoon with the 8th pick.

 

Overhauled Cornerback Roster:

CB AJ Terrell

CB Devon Witherspoon

CB Darren Hall

CB Casey Hayward

CB Greedy Williams

CB Dee Alford

Not only is this group much better, but they also have a lot of youth and upside. An AJ Terrell extension will be looming soon, but by that time, the Falcons will have plenty of cap to make it work.

 

Updated Roster: 46

QB Desmond Ridder

QB Taylor Heinicke

RB Tyler Allgeier

RB Cordarrelle Patterson

RB Justin Jackson 

RB Avery Williams

RB Caleb Huntley

WR Drake London

WR Allen Lazard

WR Ronnie Bell

WR Olamide Zaccheaus

WR Frank Darby

TE Kyle Pitts

TE Darnell Washington

TE MyCole Pruitt

TE Parker Hesse

OL Jake Matthews

OL Nate Davis

OL Drew Dalman

OL Chris Lindstrom

OL Kaleb McGary

OL Elijah Wilkinson

OL Matt Hennessy

OL Jarrett Patterson

OL Ryan Neuzil

DL Grady Jarrett

DL Javon Hargrave

DL Ta’Quon Graham

DL Abdullah Anderson

DL Byron Young

EDGE Lorenzo Carter

EDGE Arnold Ebiketie

EDGE DeAngelo Malone

EDGE Zach Harrison

EDGE Dylan Horton

EDGE Ade Ogundeji

LB David Long

LB Mykal Walker

LB Troy Andersen

LB Nick Herbig

CB AJ Terrell

CB Devon Witherspoon

CB Darren Hall

CB Casey Hayward

CB Greedy Williams

CB Dee Alford

 

Draft Picks Remaining:
  • Round 7, Pick 226 (from LV)
2023 Cap Space Allotted: $76 Million

Quarterback: -$6 million

Running Back: $900k

Wide Receiver: $19.5 million

Tight End: $1.9 million

Offensive Line: $27.5 million

Defensive Line: $12.2 million

EDGE: $5 million

Linebackers: $7 million

Cornerbacks: $8 million

Photographer: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire

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