Flick's Forum: Under Microscope, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Delivers in Free Agency
Terry Fontenot knew it.
Entering his third offseason as the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, Fontenot acknowledged this offseason would be "pivotal" for his team's direction ... while at the same time arguing that that point was true for each of his first two seasons here.
And while Fontenot wasn't wrong, those of us in attendance when he spoke at the Scouting Combine were well-aware that the offseason ahead would be the most eventful - and perhaps most telling - of he and coach Arthur Smith's tenure.
Through their first two years, Fontenot and Smith battled through cap difficulties left behind by the previous regime. The coach noted how they took their "lumps," and scraped by with aging players on veteran minimum contracts.
But all of that led to this Monday moment - the start of the legal tampering period.
After establishing a foundation and turning a veteran-heavy roster into one filled with the most players 26 years old or younger among any NFL team, Fontenot said the Falcons were set to enter the "next phase" of their plan.
And what, exactly, is that plan?
As things turned out ... it was to be aggressive from the start with over $60 million of cap space to use.
Prior to the tampering period opening at noon, Fontenot made a trade with the New England Patriots to reunite tight end Jonnu Smith with Arthur Smith.
Arthur was Jonnu's position coach for two years and offensive coordinator for two more as members of the Tennessee Titans, including a fine final season marked by 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns.
But Fontenot didn't stop there, making Chris Lindstrom the highest-paid offensive guard in NFL history at $21 million annually.
Fresh off an All-Pro season that also saw him win Atlanta's Walter Payton Man of the Year award, Lindstrom is a critical building block - and the extension could open up as much as $9 million in cap space for this offseason, per OverTheCap.
With momentum at his back, Fontenot re-signed a pair of unsung heroes in punter Bradley Pinion and fullback Keith Smith, both of whom are viewed as strong locker room contributors in addition to doing their specific jobs at a high level.
And that was only part of the fun.
Fontenot, who spent nearly two decades with the New Orleans Saints, agreed to terms with one of his former players in defensive tackle David Onyemata, who's started every game he's appeared in across the last four years.
Onyemata was widely viewed as one of the best defensive linemen to reach the free agent market after a steady season in which he had five sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
According to Next Gen Stats, the 6-4, 300-pounder had a 10.6-percent pressure rate, eighth-best across the NFL ... while Atlanta's defensive tackles mustered just over five percent, placing them at No. 30 league-wide.
Onyemata should bring consistent pass rush juice alongside Grady Jarrett, who had six sacks and 17 quarterback hits this past season.
But Fontenot saved the best for what many thought was the last - agreeing on a four-year deal with Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III.
A dynamic player who's recorded at least three interceptions in four of his five professional seasons, the 26-year-old Bates is a rangy player who stars in single-high and should help third-year pro Richie Grant take his game to a new level, seeing more time in the box.
Bates, one of the best free agents available, has an All-Pro to his name and will give the Falcons a legitimate ballhawk on the back end.
For hours, that seemed to be the mic-drop moment for Fontenot's first round of free agency ...
But he made one final move, taking a swing back through New Orleans to sign linebacker Kaden Elliss to a three-year deal.
Per Pro Football Focus, Elliss had seven sacks and 20 pressures in 103 pass rushing snaps this past season, his first in an extended role. The former Idaho Vandal added 36 defensive stops, proving his ability to star at the line of scrimmage, even in an off-ball role.
By all accounts, Fontenot had a stellar day, showing discipline with the price of his deals and addressing several big needs.
Pressure players? Check.
Class headliner and turnover magnet? Check.
Offensive weapon with a track record of success under Smith? Check.
Extending Atlanta's lone All-Pro? Check.
Re-signing valuable leaders and niche starters? Check.
There are still areas in need of improvement, including cornerback, receiver, left guard and right tackle, but for a day's work, much was accomplished.
And so far, in this "pivotal" offseason, Fontenot has delivered.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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