Falcon Report

D-Line vs. Secondary: What's Falcons Biggest Defensive Need?

The Atlanta Falcons are looking to upgrade on all areas of the defense this offseason. But which position is the most important?
Jeremy Brener|
D-Line vs. Secondary: What's Falcons Biggest Defensive Need?
D-Line vs. Secondary: What's Falcons Biggest Defensive Need?

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Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have several needs going into the offseason.

While the team could eye an upgrade at the quarterback position and could use a pass rusher or two, Bleacher Report has identified the secondary as the biggest need for the Falcons' offseason, more specifically at cornerback.

The Falcons ranked 29th in the league in yards per pass attempt with 6.8, and Atlanta hopes to bring that number down in 2023.

While A.J. Terrell is one of the game's best young cornerbacks, there isn't much depth after him. Casey Hayward was expected to be starting opposite him, but he was limited to six games with an injury. Hayward is under contract for 2023, but the Falcons can save $5 million by cutting or trading him before June 1.

And with a loaded cornerback free agent class, the Falcons may decide to transfer the savings they get from Hayward's contract and move it towards a better free agent.

"With $56.4 million in projected cap space, Atlanta could afford to chase top free-agent corners such as James Bradberry, Jamel Dean, Rock Ya-Sin and Patrick Peterson," Bleacher Report writes. It would be a mild surprise if the team doesn't add at least one proven veteran at the position next month."

But don't be surprised if a veteran free agent is all the Falcons sign. Atlanta could target a cornerback early in the draft like Christian Gonzalez or Joey Porter Jr. to give the team a dynamic tandem at the position.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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