Free Agency Grades: Falcons Praised for Signing Saints Ex David Onyemata?
The Atlanta Falcons kept themselves busy during the NFL's first legal tampering day, making a trade and landing deals with three other outside additions.
One of the first free agent deals for the Falcons was agreeing to a three-year $35 million contract with ex-New Orleans Saints defensive lineman David Onyemata, giving Atlanta much-needed help up front next to Grady Jarrett. But how did the deal grade out?
Pro Football Focus graded out the fit/need as an "A" letter grade, which shouldn't be surprising as the Falcons hired ex-Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their replacement for Dean Pees. But the Falcons also need help in the pass-rushing department after finishing second-to-last in the NFL in sacks.
"Over the past three seasons, Onyemata's 11.4% pressure percentage ranks 11th among interior defenders, and he earned back-to-back pass-rush grades above 75.0 in 2020 and 2021," PFF writes.
Familiarity with Nielsen is a plus, but PFF's grade for value seems to hint at the belief the Falcons may have overpaid.
PFF gave the Falcons a B- letter grade for the value at which they acquired Onyemata, due to their projected contract having the veteran defensive tackle valued at around $8.5 million a year, on a two-year $17 million contract, with just $11 million guaranteed. Meaning the Falcons "overpaid" by around $3 million.
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