The Falcons aren’t going to make the same splash they did last year in free agency when they signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to the largest total-value free-agency deal in league history. And, considering how that has worked out so far, maybe a more subtle approach is best.
Atlanta’s major moves this year are expected to come on the defensive side, where coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have said they have plans to restock a unit that finished 28th in points allowed per drive last season (2.33), according to TruMedia. Edge rusher and cornerback are the most pressing positions of need entering the opening of free agency.
The Falcons entered the week $5.3 million over the 2025 salary cap but have the flexibility to clear more than $20 million in space with contract restructures and/or releasing veterans.
This post will be updated as roster moves are made during free agency, so check back often.
Falcons additions
LB Divine Deablo (free agent): Two-year, $14 million deal
Edge Leonard Floyd (free agent): One-year, $10 million deal
CB Mike Ford (free agent): Two-year, $4 million deal
DE Morgan Fox (free agent): Two-year, $8.5 million deal
S Jordan Fuller (free agent)
DE Ta’Quon Graham (re-signed): One-year deal
OL Kyle Hinton (re-signed)
WR KhaDarel Hodge (re-signed): Two-year, $6 million deal
CB Mike Hughes (re-signed): Three-year, $18 million deal ($9.6 million guaranteed)
OT Jake Matthews (extension): Two-year deal
LS Liam McCullough (extension): Four-year deal
OL Storm Norton (re-signed)
OL Brandon Parker (re-signed)
DT Kentavius Street (re-signed)
CB Keith Taylor (free agent): One-year deal
OL Elijah Wilkinson (re-signed)
LB Josh Woods (re-signed)
Edge Matthew Judon (No. 114)
Falcons adding S Jordan Fuller
The Falcons agreed to terms with free-agent safety Jordan Fuller, according to a league source. Fuller played nine games last year with the Panthers but spent the previous four seasons with the Rams, where he played under Morris in 2021 and 2022.
Fuller, who has seven career interceptions, has started 55 of his 57 career regular-season games and is projected to slide in as a starter in Atlanta next to Jessie Bates III. Fuller’s addition gives the Falcons more flexibility in the first round of next month’s draft.
Atlanta has added or re-signed starters at edge rusher, cornerback and safety with Leonard Floyd, Mike Hughes and Fuller. There are still needs, though, at all three spots, so the Falcons could go any direction when they are on the clock with the 15th pick.
DT Kentavius Street re-signs with Falcons
March 17: In addition to confirming the signings of defensive lineman Morgan Fox (to a two-year deal), wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham, the Falcons announced that they re-signed defensive tackle Kentavius Street.
Street, a six-year veteran who has played for Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Francisco, played in 13 games last year and had the fourth-most snaps (280) among interior defensive linemen on the team. Grady Jarrett and Eddie Goldman, who were first and third on the snap count list at the position, signed with the Bears and Commanders, respectively.
Falcons adding DE Morgan Fox
March 14: The Falcons have agreed to terms with veteran defensive lineman Morgan Fox on a two-year deal with up to $8.5 million, according to the NFL Network’s Insiders.
Fox, who joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State-Pueblo in 2016, has 27 1/2 career sacks, including 15 1/2 in the last three seasons with the Chargers. He also spent one year with the Panthers.
Atlanta signs CB Keith Taylor
March 14: Atlanta added depth to the secondary and special teams Friday afternoon with the signing of cornerback Keith Taylor to a one-year contract. Taylor spent last season in Kansas City, where he played in 11 games and registered five tackles. A fifth-round pick by the Panthers in 2021, Taylor started five games for Carolina in 2021 and 2022. The Falcons also announced the official signing of linebacker Divine Deablo on Friday.
Falcons re-sign OL Storm Norton and Brandon Parker
March 13: Atlanta re-signed reserve offensive linemen Storm Norton and Brandon Parker on Thursday. Norton, a six-year veteran, has been the Falcons swing tackle the last two seasons. He has played in 31 games and started four in the last two seasons. Parker spent the first five seasons of his career with the Raiders but joined Atlanta last season as a practice squad member.
The team also confirmed the previously reported re-signing of cornerback Mike Hughes, who started 15 games for the Falcons last year.
Atlanta retains three free agents, puts tender on Neuzil
March 12: The Falcons announced Wednesday night that they re-signed reserve offensive linemen Kyle Hinton and Elijah Wilkinson and reserve linebacker Josh Woods. Ryan Neuzil, who is the projected starter at center after Drew Dalman’s departure to Chicago, became a restricted free agent on Wednesday. However, the Falcons placed a right of first refusal tender on Neuzil meaning they will be able to match any offer he gets from another team.
Falcons bringing back WR KhaDarel Hodge
March 12: KhaDarel Hodge’s wish came true.
“I definitely want to be in Atlanta,” the wide receiver and special teams stalwart told The Athletic in February.
“Hopefully, we get that done. I think they want me around as much as I want to be around.”
Apparently, the Falcons did because they are re-signing Hodge to a two-year deal worth $6 million, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Hodge, a seven-year veteran, was a 2024 special teams Pro Bowler and scored a 45-yard walk-off touchdown on a catch and run in Atlanta’s 36-30 Week 5 overtime win against Tampa Bay. He ended the season with seven catches, his fewest since 2019 when he played in Cleveland but expressed optimism in February that his best offensive season could be in front of him playing in the Falcons’ system.
Hodge has 64 career catches for 995 yards.
“I want to make more plays in that area,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to shoot to do. Until I get the role I want to get, I’m going to keep working. I’ll just keep putting in the work and praying for the best.”
DE Ta’Quon Graham returns for 2025
March 12: The Falcons didn’t waste much time in the new league year, bringing back defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham, who completed his rookie contract with the team after the 2024 season. A 2021 fifth-round pick, Graham will re-sign a one-year deal with Atlanta, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Graham impressed Morris early in training camp last year.
“I have seen a violent, big human that is absolutely learning how to practice against his teammates,” Morris said. “He is strong. He’s got great length. He’s throwing his hands. He’s being physical. He’s doing things the right way. I have really been impressed.”
Graham was lost in Week 10 last season because of a pectoral injury but played 193 snaps before his injury. He started 11 games for the Falcons in 2022 before a knee injury ended his season.
Eddie Goldman departs for Washington
March 12: Entering free agency, it looked like Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata was a likely cut candidate. Instead, Onyemata may be the last man standing among their veteran interior defensive linemen.
Eddie Goldman, who played the third-most snaps of any interior defensive linemen for Atlanta last season, signed a one-year deal Wednesday with the Washington Commanders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Earlier in the week, the Falcons released Grady Jarrett, leaving Onyemata as the only defensive lineman on the roster who played more than 270 snaps last season.
Releasing Jarrett and allowing Goldman to leave appear to be signals that Atlanta plans to greatly increase the playing time of 2024 draft picks Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, who played sparingly last year.
Ex-Browns CB Mike Ford returns to Atlanta
March 12: Atlanta made its first addition to the secondary this offseason by agreeing to terms with cornerback Mike Ford, who played for the Falcons in 2022 and spent the last two seasons in Cleveland, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ford, who is set to sign a two-year deal worth $4 million, started two games at cornerback for the Falcons in 2022. He also played a team-high 361 special teams snaps that season, so it’s clear he’ll make an impact again there in Atlanta.
What remains to be seen is if the Falcons plan for Ford to compete for the starting nickel corner position. Dee Alford manned that spot last season but was not tendered an offer entering his restricted free agency this offseason.
Ford started one game at cornerback for the Browns in the last two seasons. He has one career interception, which he grabbed in 2023.
What’s going on here?
March 12: Let’s sum up the Falcons’ free agency week so far: Grady Jarrett, Drew Dalman and Richie Grant are out. Mike Hughes is back. Edge rusher Leonard Floyd and linebacker Divine Deablo are on their way in. (Details on all below.)
Fans can be forgiven for wondering, “Is this all there is?” The next three days should answer that question. The new league year begins at 4 p.m. today when new additions can sign their deals.
With most of the big names off the market, teams will begin sorting through the second tier of available players. Can we interest you in Za’Darius Smith or DeMarcus Lawrence? Looking for a safety? How about Marcus Williams coming off a head-scratching year in Baltimore?
There’s also another option to consider: What if the Falcons think they can be a player in the Trey Hendrickson trade market? The Bengals edge rusher is on the market and probably could be had for a second-round pick plus a late-round pick if a team is willing to give him a new contract.
The release of Jarrett and a contract extension for Jake Matthews cleared some cap space for Atlanta. The moves to add Floyd and Deablo will take up much of that, but the Falcons still have the flexibility to add more. If they restucture the deals of players like Chris Lindstrom and Jessie Bates III this week, it could be a harbinger of a Hendrickson pursuit.
Stay tuned as we’ll update all of the week’s action here.
Falcons fill need with pass rusher Leonard Floyd
March 11: The Falcons quickly took advantage of San Francisco’s decision to cut Leonard Floyd, adding the veteran pass rusher and former Georgia Bulldog on a one-year deal worth $10 million, according to a league source.
Floyd was released by the 49ers on Tuesday morning and agreed to terms with the Falcons several hours later. He immediately became the team’s most high-profile addition in what so far has been a quiet free agency period.
Floyd immediately becomes the team’s most proven pass rusher and addresses Atlanta’s most glaring position of need. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound 32-year-old has had at least 8 1/2 sacks for the last five seasons. The last Falcon to have 8 1/2 or more sacks in a season was Adrian Clayborn, who had 9 1/2 in 2017.
Falcons, CB Mike Hughes agree to 3-year deal
March 11: The Falcons’ second deal of the free agency period keeps a familiar face in the fold as the team agreed to terms with cornerback Mike Hughes, who has started 19 games at the position for Atlanta in the last two seasons.
Hughes, a first-round pick by the Vikings in 2018, will receive a three-year deal with $9.6 million guaranteed and a potential total value of $18 million, according to a league source. Hughes originally joined the Falcons as a free agent before the 2023 season.
Hughes has yet to record an interception in Atlanta, but he had six pass breakups last season, the second-highest number of his career.
Bringing Hughes back suggests the Falcons aren’t planning to make a big splash in free agency at the position as he has proved he can start opposite A.J. Terrell in their defensive system. Atlanta also has Clark Phillips III under contract at cornerback.
Richie Grant joining 49ers
March 11: When safety Richie Grant cleaned out his locker the day after the Falcons’ season ended, he hoped a deal could be reached to allow him to return to the locker room. Instead, Grant is headed to San Francisco after agreeing to terms on a one-year free agency deal with the 49ers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“I love Atlanta,” Grant said in January. “Atlanta is home, but I’m leaving it in God’s hands.”
It’s not a surprise the Falcons let Grant walk. He was drafted with the 40th pick in 2021 and started 32 games in 2022 and 2023, but he saw his playing time fall off dramatically last season. He started only one game and played fewer than 15 percent of the defensive snaps.
Falcons add LB Divine Deablo
March 11: The Falcons’ first addition of free agency doesn’t exactly make a big splash, but it will provide depth at a position of need. Linebacker Divine Deablo, a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder most recently of the Raiders, agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal, NFL Network reported. A third-round pick in 2021 who has made 42 career starts, Deablo is a converted safety who was ranked No. 148 on The Athletic’s list of 150 available free agents.
Atlanta has Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, JD Bertrand, Nate Landman and Josh Woods on the roster at inside linebacker, but Landman is a restricted free agent who did not receive a tender offer from the team and Andersen has had issues staying healthy since being drafted in the second round in 2022.
Drew Dalman departs for Chicago
March 10: Dalman agreeing to terms with the Bears seems to open the door for Ryan Neuzil to step into the starting role at center for Atlanta. Neuzil has started 12 games at center for the Falcons in the last two years while filling in for an injured Dalman. Neuzil signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State in 2021.
Dalman, who agreed to a three-year deal with Chicago, was a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2021 and had started in the middle of the offensive line when healthy throughout the last three seasons.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson praised Neuzil during his fill-in duty for Dalman.
“Neuzil has done a great job,” Robinson said.
The fact that Neuzil has spent the last three years under Falcons offensive coordinator Dwayne Ledford should ease his transition into the starting lineup if that is indeed the plan in Atlanta.
Falcons release Grady Jarrett: Sources
March 10: The Falcons released Jarrett, the 10-year veteran defensive tackle, team and league sources told The Athletic, in a move that will save the team $16.3 million in salary-cap space for the upcoming season.
Jarrett, who started 142 games for the Falcons, finishes his career in Atlanta with 36 1/2 sacks and 126 quarterback hits. His departure makes room for more playing time for young defensive tackles Orhorhoro and Dorlus, who were drafted in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, of the 2024 draft but saw little playing time last season.
Jarrett may not be the last veteran defensive tackle cut either. Releasing David Onyemata would clear more than $8 million from the 2025 salary cap.
Falcons extend left tackle Jake Matthews
March 9: The Falcons gave Matthews a two-year contract extension, according to a league source, in what is expected to be the first of several moves aimed at creating salary-cap space for free agency, which begins on Monday.
Matthews, 33, was set to count $21.7 million against the 2025 cap, but the extension allows the Falcons to diminish his cap hit while pushing his contract through the 2028 season. Matthews, the No. 6 pick of the 2014 draft, will be playing his 12th professional season this fall. He has started 184 of 185 possible games for Atlanta.
Long snapper back for Year 4 and beyond
March 6: The Falcons signed long snapper Liam McCullough to a four-year contract extension.
Originally signed by Atlanta in 2022, McCullough has handled long snapping duties on every field goal, punt and point-after attempt over the last three seasons.
(Photo of Jordan Fuller: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
