We all have to remember that the Atlanta Falcons are renovating, not rebuilding and as one of the most active teams this offseason period, they will look to tackle most of their problems before the season gets started.
OL Gabe Carimi: Many fans forget that Gabe Carimi was signed by the Falcons due to the fact that the offseason was barely underway when the move was made. If Carimi end up in a close battle for a position on the depth chart it'll probably be with offensive lineman Mike Johnson for the starting right tackle job, but Johnson looks like he will run away with that title.
G Jon Asamoah: Since now-fellow offensive lineman teammate Peter Konz was moved from right guard to center last season as Todd McClure announced his retirement, now the Falcons are feeling that void and recently signed offensive guard Jon Asamoah to a five-year deal to help out with the offensive anterior that had Matt Ryan running for his life a season ago. It is unclear if the Falcons will go after center Alex Mack, who had a $10 million transition tag placed on him. It would make plenty of sense to make a move a getting Mack because then Peter Konz could be moved back to his natural guard position.
DT Paul Soliai: Even though the Falcons resigned all three of their free agent defensive tackles, they signed another one in former Dolphin Paul Soliai to most likely start with veteran Jonathan Babineaux. The other two resigned were Corey Peters and Peria Jerry. If it wasn't for the particulars in Soliai's deal, I don't think the Falcons would mind Peters winning the battle for the second defensive tackle spot and having Soliai, Jerry and Travian Robertson fighting for reserve snaps.
DE Tyson Jackson: A few months ago, the Falcons added an assistant general manager Scott Pioli, and with him came some of the players he managed in Kansas City. One of those players is defensive end Tyson Jackson. With him and Soliai both being signed, the Falcons now have the pieces (if-needed) to switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Jackson is a solid backup at best at will be needed down the stretch with the possibility of injuries to starters.
CB Javier Arenas: When former Cheifs cornerback Javier Arenas was signed, it was looking like he would also play as a kick returner due how many players were likely to be above Arenas on the depth chart, but shortly after here came Devin Hester with a multi-year deal, who's $9 million contract says otherwise. Just about anybody should be able to tell that Arenas was only added to improve the depth of the cornerback position.
WR Devin Hester: The reason for the signing of Devin Hester was obvious. The Falcons really need help for Matt Ryan if the defense ends up not holding up like it did last year and Hester is always liable to get the offense so much-needed yards for a short field. Wide receiver will be where he is listed at on the roster, but will most likely get little to no playing time on offense. The only circumstance where that would be possible is if Dirk Koetter (Falcons offensive coordinator) lines him up in the backfield due to his trackstar-like speed. Hester is undoubtedly the greatest kick/punt returner in NFL history, so this was a big pickup for the Falcons.
S Dwight Lowery: Largely due to safety Thomas Decoud being cut, newly acquired Dwight Lowery will battle second-year pro Zeke Motta for the starting free safety job if no other moves are made by the Falcons at that position. It's no coincidence that Lowery was signed almost immediately after the New Orleans Saints matched Atlanta's offer sheet for Rafael Bush.
CB Josh Wilson: The most confusing signing of all so far was that of former Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson...well at least for me. You're getting a guy that will want to be paid rather decently, but there might be three players that will be listed ahead of him at his position. I do not think Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford or Robert McClain will lose any sleep thinking about having to fight Wilson for their spot on the depth chart, but regardless he is a pretty solid player. Though if Wilson down infact end up being listed as the 4th cornerback on the depth chart, the Falcons will have one of the deepest if not THE deepest cornerback corps with Trufant, Alford, McClain, Wilson and Arenas.
OL Gabe Carimi: Many fans forget that Gabe Carimi was signed by the Falcons due to the fact that the offseason was barely underway when the move was made. If Carimi end up in a close battle for a position on the depth chart it'll probably be with offensive lineman Mike Johnson for the starting right tackle job, but Johnson looks like he will run away with that title.
G Jon Asamoah: Since now-fellow offensive lineman teammate Peter Konz was moved from right guard to center last season as Todd McClure announced his retirement, now the Falcons are feeling that void and recently signed offensive guard Jon Asamoah to a five-year deal to help out with the offensive anterior that had Matt Ryan running for his life a season ago. It is unclear if the Falcons will go after center Alex Mack, who had a $10 million transition tag placed on him. It would make plenty of sense to make a move a getting Mack because then Peter Konz could be moved back to his natural guard position.
DT Paul Soliai: Even though the Falcons resigned all three of their free agent defensive tackles, they signed another one in former Dolphin Paul Soliai to most likely start with veteran Jonathan Babineaux. The other two resigned were Corey Peters and Peria Jerry. If it wasn't for the particulars in Soliai's deal, I don't think the Falcons would mind Peters winning the battle for the second defensive tackle spot and having Soliai, Jerry and Travian Robertson fighting for reserve snaps.
DE Tyson Jackson: A few months ago, the Falcons added an assistant general manager Scott Pioli, and with him came some of the players he managed in Kansas City. One of those players is defensive end Tyson Jackson. With him and Soliai both being signed, the Falcons now have the pieces (if-needed) to switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Jackson is a solid backup at best at will be needed down the stretch with the possibility of injuries to starters.
CB Javier Arenas: When former Cheifs cornerback Javier Arenas was signed, it was looking like he would also play as a kick returner due how many players were likely to be above Arenas on the depth chart, but shortly after here came Devin Hester with a multi-year deal, who's $9 million contract says otherwise. Just about anybody should be able to tell that Arenas was only added to improve the depth of the cornerback position.
WR Devin Hester: The reason for the signing of Devin Hester was obvious. The Falcons really need help for Matt Ryan if the defense ends up not holding up like it did last year and Hester is always liable to get the offense so much-needed yards for a short field. Wide receiver will be where he is listed at on the roster, but will most likely get little to no playing time on offense. The only circumstance where that would be possible is if Dirk Koetter (Falcons offensive coordinator) lines him up in the backfield due to his trackstar-like speed. Hester is undoubtedly the greatest kick/punt returner in NFL history, so this was a big pickup for the Falcons.
S Dwight Lowery: Largely due to safety Thomas Decoud being cut, newly acquired Dwight Lowery will battle second-year pro Zeke Motta for the starting free safety job if no other moves are made by the Falcons at that position. It's no coincidence that Lowery was signed almost immediately after the New Orleans Saints matched Atlanta's offer sheet for Rafael Bush.
CB Josh Wilson: The most confusing signing of all so far was that of former Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson...well at least for me. You're getting a guy that will want to be paid rather decently, but there might be three players that will be listed ahead of him at his position. I do not think Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford or Robert McClain will lose any sleep thinking about having to fight Wilson for their spot on the depth chart, but regardless he is a pretty solid player. Though if Wilson down infact end up being listed as the 4th cornerback on the depth chart, the Falcons will have one of the deepest if not THE deepest cornerback corps with Trufant, Alford, McClain, Wilson and Arenas.