The Atlanta Falcons have a lot of areas that need work...but fortunately for the fans, they have the financial flexibility to make it happen.
Atlanta has over $20 million in cap space heading into 2015 free agency, and that number is expected to rise with a few badly-needed cuts (Steven Jackson and Tyson Jackson will be gone, with a handful of other players still TBD).
Here are the three players the Falcons have been linked to most frequently over the past few weeks...
3. Brian Orakpo
Heavily linked last summer but sidelined for much of the 2014 season with a torn pectoral, Orakpo is one of the gems of this free agent class. His injury-plagued 2014 season will drive down his price tag, and the Falcons have the rare opportunity to pick up a 28-year-old three-time Pro Bowler without breaking the bank. From what we're hearing out of Atlanta, the front office is very interested in making it happen.
2. C.J. Spiller
The Falcons are going to need a new running back, and it sounds like they'd much rather make that happen through free agency than through the draft. Spiller is an electrifying playmaker who never had the chance to do himself justice in Buffalo - a combination of injuries, poor coaching decisions and bad luck held him back. Still, Spiller is just 27, and like Orakpo, he'll be available for below his true value.
1. Julius Thomas
The Falcons haven't truly replaced Tony Gonzalez, and they were clearly missing him dearly in 2014. Thomas won't come cheap, but there are few better receiving tight ends in the NFL, let alone on the market. New Atlanta HC Dan Quinn has reportedly labeled Thomas and Cleveland's Jordan Cameron as his top choices at TE, and Thomas is a better player and doesn't come with Cameron's baggage.
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