{"id":38656,"date":"2018-03-03T18:56:01","date_gmt":"2018-03-03T23:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=38656"},"modified":"2018-03-03T18:56:01","modified_gmt":"2018-03-03T23:56:01","slug":"falcons-perfect-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/03\/03\/falcons-perfect-offseason\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Falcons Perfect Offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Atlanta Falcons<\/a> have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. However, every team has room to grow in some places. There are many different places the Falcons can look to improve their roster to help give them the extra push needed for a deep run. They are just a season removed from being in Super Bowl LI and can be back in the title game with a good offseason. Here is the perfect offseason plan for the Atlanta Falcons.<\/p>\n<h2>Atlanta Falcons Perfect Offseason<\/h2>\n<h3>Re-sign<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/ClayAd00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Adrian Clayborn<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Resigning Clayborn helps add depth and a quality rotation on the defensive line. He is a solid starter and provides pressure off the edge.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/bryanmat01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Matt Bryant<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Bryant has proven he is still a consistent kicker and one of the top in the league. Atlanta could go for a younger kicker, but with how successful the Falcons have been with Bryant \u00a0throughout the years, he should be brought back to Atlanta in 2018.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WeatSe99.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sean Weatherspoon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Weatherspoon provides depth at linebacker is great as a change of pace linebacker. He might even take a pay cut compared to what he can get on the market to stay in Atlanta.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/ColeDe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Derrick Coleman<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; He has been a good lead blocker for Atlanta&#8217;s running backs and is a solid full back. Keeping Coleman would be easier than trying to find a new one in a market that doesn\u2019t have many true full backs anymore.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PaszAu00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Austin Pasztor<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Let Walk<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PoexDo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dontari Poe<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Poe was decent for Atlanta this year but there are better options on the open market at defensive tackle. Poe will also command more money than Atlanta can afford to pay him.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GabrTa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Taylor Gabriel<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Gabriel had an off year this year, which could play a role in the Falcons decision to bring him back in 2018. Atlanta still has Justin Hardy, who is poised to take over Gabriel&#8217;s spot as slot receiver.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/I\/IshmKe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kemal Ishmael<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RobeAn00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Andre Roberts<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/U\/UpshCo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Courtney Upshaw<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RubiAh99.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ahtyba Rubin<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WrehBl00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Blidi Wreh-Wilson<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McFaLe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Leon McFadden<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TripJo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan Tripp<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sign in Free Agency<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/ColvAa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Aaron Colvin<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0 Colvin might break Atlanta&#8217;s bank to get, but he is a solid corner and can help the secondary plenty as a a rotational\/nickel corner.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SlatMa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Matthew Slater<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Slater is a great player on special teams and Atlanta needs a new returner if they let Gabriel sign elsewhere this offseason.<\/p>\n<h3>Draft<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Round One, Pick 26: <strong>Isaiah Wynn<\/strong>, Offensive Guard, UGA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Wynn is a top 15 player in this draft class and can improve Atlanta&#8217;s offensive line instantly.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Round Two, Pick 58: <strong>Donte Jackson<\/strong>, Cornerback, LSU<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0 Jackson has a chance to beat the 40-yard dash record at the combine. His combination of speed and length will give the Falcons a tremendous playmaker to compliment <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TrufDe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Desmond Trufant<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Round Three, Pick 90: <strong>Nathan Shepherd<\/strong>, Defensive Tackle, Fort Hays State<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Shepard is \u00a0the perfect player to replace Poe at defensive tackle. Getting a solid starter in the back half of the third round would be a phenomenal selection.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Round Four, Pick 122: <strong>DeaSean Hamilton<\/strong>, Wide Receiver, Penn State<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0 Hamilton might be the best route runner in the draft this year. He also has the speed to gain separation and make plays downfield. He would be a great slot receiver to compliment Julio and Sanu.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Round Six, Pick 186: <strong>Brandon Parker<\/strong>, Offensive Tackle, North Carolina A&amp;T<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; \u00a0Parker has the potential to be developed into a starting tackle. Taking him late in the draft and developing him as a backup will provide the depth at offensive tackle that Atlanta\u00a0has been looking for.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Round Seven, Pick 218: <strong>Siran Neal<\/strong>, Safety, Jacksonville State<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Coming out of a small school, Neal is not a very known prospect. He would be a good backup for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/N\/NealKe01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Keanu Neal<\/strong><\/a> and provide depth in Atlanta&#8217;s secondary.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Round Seven, Pick 256 (\u201cMr. Irrelevant\u201d): <strong>Jordan Akins<\/strong>, Tight End, UCF<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8211; Akins had a pretty good senior bowl week and it put him on the map for a few teams. He still needs to develop more to gain snaps in an NFL in an offense, but he would be a solid compliment to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HoopAu00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Austin Hooper<\/strong><\/a>. The selection fills a need, as the Falcons recently cut tight end <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ToilLe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Levine Toilolo<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>New Offense<\/h3>\n<p>Quarterback: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RyanMa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Matt Ryan<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Running Back: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FreeDe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Devonta Freeman<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Running Back:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/ColeTe01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Tevin Coleman<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Wide Receivers: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JoneJu02.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong>,<strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SanuMo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mohamed Sanu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Slot Wide Receivers: DeaSean Hamilton, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HardJu00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Justin Hardy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tight End: Austin Hooper, Jordan Akins (backup)<\/p>\n<p>Offensive Tackles:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MattJa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Jake Matthews<\/strong><\/a> (Left Tackle), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SchrRy00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ryan Schraeder<\/strong><\/a> (Right Tackle)<\/p>\n<p>Offensive Guards: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LeviAn20.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Andy Levitre<\/strong><\/a> (Left Guard), Isaiah Wynn (Right Guard)<\/p>\n<p>Center: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MackAl20.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alex Mack<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>New Defense<\/h3>\n<p>Defensive Ends: Adrian Clayborn, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/ReedBr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Brooks Reed<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Defensive Tackles: Nathan Shepherd, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JarrGr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Grady Jarrett<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Strongside Linebackers:<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BeasVi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Vic Beasley<\/a><\/strong>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RileDu00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Duke Riley<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Middle Linebacker: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JoneDe01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Deion Jones<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Weakside Linebacker: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CampDe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>De\u2019Vondre Campbell<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cornerbacks: Desmond Trufant, Donte Jackson\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AlfoRo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Robert Alford<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nickel Corner: Aaron Colvin<\/p>\n<p>Free Safety: Keanu Neal<\/p>\n<p>Strong Safety:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AlleRi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Ricardo Allen<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<a id=\"DTFSQpvpS7FvnSUOqtIcdQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/895573140\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'DTFSQpvpS7FvnSUOqtIcdQ',sig:'J9INmMoJ6nagH6vhcnvlIH2_-QHpoadwVcNDB58CCqY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'895573140',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Falcons perfect offseason<br \/>\nThe Atlanta Falcons have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, however every team has room to grow in some places. There are many different places the Falcons can look to improve their roster to help give them the extra push needed for a deep run. They are just a season removed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2470,"featured_media":38664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,54,1647,36],"tags":[2580,3502,115,61,466,40,1173],"class_list":["post-38656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-falcons","category-editorials","category-nfl-draft","category-nfl-news","tag-2018-nfl-draft","tag-2018-nfl-free-agency","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-football","tag-nfc-south","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-draft"],"modified_by":"Justin Halper","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2470"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38656"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38656\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}