Commanders standout among potential free-agent additions for Falcons

Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET

Positional needs for Atlanta Falcons: LG, DT, LB, CB, FS, WR

The bad news for Atlanta is it has major needs. The good news is the organization has the money to make a huge splash in free agency. The team has $51,485,457 in effective cap space, and that total could rise to as much as $110,115,217 if the team reworks player contracts using the maximum restructure (h/t: OverTheCap.com). Atlanta has the money to seek a QB, but the cap space would be better off spent to fill holes elsewhere.

Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders

Payne spent his first five seasons in Washington and is coming off a 2022 season in which he finished with his most sacks (11.5) in a season. Atlanta had only 21 sacks all season, 31st in the league.

Per Football Outsiders' Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) metric, the Falcons' pass defense was the team's weakness, ranking 29th and performing 19.6 percent worse than the league average.

Forcing pressure on QBs is an easy way to impact the passing game, and the team already has an impressive young corner in A.J. Terrell. 

Per CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson, the Falcons are in line to draft cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at eighth overall. Payne would be a massive signing that could help the secondary.

Germaine Pratt, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the offense receive most of the praise, but Pratt and the defense are just as crucial to Cincinnati's stunning turnaround the past two seasons.

The Falcons need an addition at linebacker with Rashaan Evans set to be a free agent. After a poor defensive performance in 2022, it doesn't make much sense to run it back with Evans. 

Pratt would be a huge upgrade, especially in pass coverage. Per Pro Football Focus, he ranked first of 168 linebackers in coverage while Evans ranked 88th. 

Data from Football Outsiders backs up Pratt's impressive 90.2 grade from PFF. According to Football Outsiders, the Bengals were fantastic against tight ends and running backs in the passing game, players who are traditionally lined up against linebackers in coverage. 

Isaac Seumalo, LG, Philadelphia Eagles

There is a lot to like about the Falcons on offense, including running back Tyler Allgeier, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. 

The offensive line is a strength, and re-signing free-agent right tackle Kaleb McGary is a priority.

If there is one hole along the line, it's not having a consistent starter at left guard. Elijah Wilkinson started nine games at left guard this season and is set to be a free agent.

Backup center Matt Hennessy also spent time at guard this year, and signing Seumalo would allow him to return to an emergency backup role. Per PFF, he allowed only one sack in 680 pass-blocking situations.