Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta sits in a strong cap position with $38.4M in current room and a projected $144.8M available next season, giving the front office real firepower to address the quarterback and linebacker needs, though $39.5M in dead money deserves close monitoring.

43 contracts expiring

Madden Tools Analysis

Three starting spots have weak depth behind the starter.

Atlanta's top strength is its skill-position offense anchored by Robinson, London, and Pitts Sr, while the linebacker corps, particularly at SAM and behind the starters at MIKE, is the weakest spot on the roster.

• LShigh
• SAMmedium

  JD Bertrand is the starter at SAM linebacker but grades out at just 69 overall, making an upgrade at the position a genuine medium-priority target.

• QBmedium

  Tua Tagovailoa is the starter at 74 overall with Michael Penix Jr as his backup, and the position lacks a proven high-end option, making QB a genuine medium-priority upgrade target.

• WILLlow

  Christian Harris starts at WILL with a 72 overall, and the depth behind him is thin, so adding a higher-ceiling option to compete for the role would benefit the unit.

• RTlow

  Jawaan Taylor holds the starting RT spot at 75 overall, but with limited high-upside depth behind him in Michael Jerrell and Jack Nelson, the position needs monitoring.

• Air RaidoffensiveGood

  The Air Raid's emphasis on spread passing and quick rhythm throws plays directly to Drake London's route-running, Kyle Pitts Sr's versatility, and Bijan Robinson's ability as a receiving back.

• 4-3 Cover 2defensivePassable

  The 4-3 Cover 2 is a passable fit because Jessie Bates III thrives in a two-high safety structure, A.J. Terrell Jr can play disciplined zone corners, and the young edge duo of Pearce Jr and Walker can develop as 4-3 ends.

• 65Charlie WoernerTECharlie Woerner grades out at just 65 overall and is buried third on the TE depth chart behind Kyle Pitts Sr and Austin Hooper, making him a clear cut that frees $4.4M against $1.3M in dead money.Frees $4.4M · $1.3M dead
• 63Kyle HintonLGKyle Hinton sits third on the LG depth chart at 63 overall, offering no meaningful contribution over higher-rated teammates, and releasing him frees $2.3M against only $920K in dead money.Frees $2.3M · $920.0K dead
• 64Corey LevinCCorey Levin is the second-string center at 64 overall behind Ryan Neuzil, and at 32 years old with minimal upside, releasing him makes financial sense as it frees $1.3M against just $180K in dead money.Frees $1.3M · $180.0K dead
• 62Josh WoodsWILLJosh Woods is the second linebacker listed at SAM and the second at WILL at just 62 overall, and releasing him costs nothing in dead money while freeing $1.1M.Frees $1.1M · $0 dead
• 65Cooper RushQBCooper Rush is the third-string quarterback at 65 overall behind Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr, and cutting him frees $1.1M with zero dead money.Frees $1.1M · $0 dead

The Falcons are built around a compelling core headlined by Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr, giving them one of the most talented skill-position groups in the league. Chris Lindstrom and A.J. Terrell Jr round out a competitive unit on both sides of the ball. The concern is at quarterback, where Tua Tagovailoa starts at 74 overall, and the long-term answer at the position is unclear. Jake Matthews has been a stalwart at left tackle but is entering the late stage of his career, so a succession plan there is becoming urgent. Jessie Bates III and Chris Lindstrom are similarly entering phases of their careers that warrant attention in the medium term. On the bright side, the team carries $38.4M in current cap room, ranked 5th in the league, and projects to have $144.8M in cap space next season, giving Atlanta enormous flexibility to address its needs aggressively. The young edge rushers James Pearce Jr and Jalon Walker, both 22 with Star dev traits, are intriguing long-term pieces on defense. This team is a retooling away from being a consistent contender.

The Falcons were awarded to owner Rankin Smith Sr. on June 30, 1965, and began play in 1966 as an NFL expansion team; their first-ever draft pick, Texas linebacker Tommy Nobis, became known as "Mr. Falcon." The early decades were lean: Atlanta did not post a winning record until 1971 and did not reach the playoffs until 1978. The 1977 "Grits Blitz" defense allowed just 129 points in 14 games (9.2 per game), an all-time NFL record that still stands, and the team won its first division title in 1980. The franchise's signature early highlight came in 1998, when Dan Reeves' "Dirty Bird" Falcons went 14-2, won the NFC Championship at Minnesota on Morten Andersen's overtime field goal ("The Kick"), and reached Super Bowl XXXIII, losing 34-19 to Denver. The Michael Vick era (2001-2006) brought electric, run-first quarterback play and a 2004 NFC Championship Game appearance before ending in Vick's 2007 dogfighting conviction. The Matt Ryan / Julio Jones era (2008-2021) was the most sustained run of success in team history: Ryan was the 2016 NFL MVP and led Atlanta to Super Bowl LI, where the Falcons blew a 28-3 third-quarter lead and lost 34-28 in overtime to New England, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. Dan Quinn (2015-2020) oversaw that peak and subsequent decline; Arthur Smith (2021-2023) posted three straight 7-10 seasons; and Raheem Morris (2024-2025) went 8-9 in both seasons before being fired on January 4, 2026. The current era, under Kevin Stefanski, begins in 2026 with owner Arthur Blank overhauling leadership from the top down.