Should the Falcons tender any restricted free agents?

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According to Tom Pelissero, the 2021 restricted free agent tender amounts have been distributed to teams by the league. It will be $4.766 million for first-rounders, second-rounder tenders will be $3.384 million, original-round tenders will be $2.183, and the right of first refusal tenders will be $2.133 million.

A restricted free agent is a player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of the various qualifying offers (“tenders”) that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If a team withdraws the tender, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent.

The Falcons only have two RFAs to address, Matt Gono and Brandon Powell. Gono spent the last two seasons filling every role the Falcons asked him to, playing in 21 games. The majority of Powell’s opportunities came as a return specialist, but he did catch two touchdowns as a receiver because of injuries to Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones.

I expect, at the least, Gono to receive a tender, mainly due to his positional flexibility as a swing tackle. Depth is important along the offensive line, and Arthur Smith will surely value a veteran presence on a reasonably priced tender. Powell is a valuable contributor on special teams and could also receive a tender, but the former is more likely.

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