2019 Offseason Finances: Atlanta Falcons

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJune 03, 2019
© USA TODAY Sports

A surprisingly disappointing 7-9 record in 2018 put the brakes on what appeared like a legit contending window for the Falcons. They've made significant changes this offseason in hopes of rebooting on the fly, and pushing back up the NFC South inline with the Saints.

 

Notable Additions & Subtractions

The Falcons came into the offseason hellbent on ripping up their offensive line and moving forward. Out goes guards Andy Levitre (retirement) & Wes Schweitzer (bench), & right tackle Ryan Schraeder (released), and in come James Carpenter (NYJ), Jamon Brown (NYG), & the promotion of Ty Sambrailo. They'll be immediately pushed by first round pick Chris Lindstrom (OG) & second round pick Kaleb McGary (OT), putting a ribbon on a new-look O-Line in Atlanta. From there, the Falcons saw RB  Tevin Coleman jump ship to San Francisco, while on the defensive side of the ball, cornerbacks Robert Alford & Justin Bethel were asked to do business elsewhere. Atlanta used its third round selection to bring in CB Kendall Sheffield from Ohio State to counter these moves.

» View 2019 Free Agent Signings

 

Offseason Spending

The Cardinals signed 14 free agents, combining for $56M of total contracts, $24M of which is guaranteed. Three of these signings (Carpenter, Brown, & TE Luke Stocker) figure to be in the mix to start in 2019. Atlanta's biggest offseason money likely hasn't been spent yet, as DT Grady Jarrett remains on an unsigned $15.2M franchise tag, LB Deion Jones enters a contract year, & WR Julio Jones  continues to express interest in a top-of-the-market receiver contract. The Falcons have until July 15th to lock in Jarrett to a multi-year extension, after which he'll be stuck to the franchise tag.

» View NFL Offseason Spending

 

Top 2019 Cap Hits

  Pos.Age.2019 Cap Hit
Matt Ryan QB 34 $15,800,000
Grady Jarrett DT 26 $15,209,000
Desmond Trufant CB 28 $13,900,000

» View the 2019 Salary Cap Table

 

Top 2019 Cash Earners

  Pos.Age.2019 CashThoughts
Matt Ryan QB 34 $44,750,000 Ryan receives the second half of his $46.5M signing bonus in 2019, plus an $11.5M salary, plus a $10M option bonus.
Jake Matthews OT 27 $15,500,000 Matthews enters year two of his $72.5M contract signed last offseason. His $9M option bonus & $6.5M salary are already locked in.
Grady Jarrett DT 26 $15,209,000 Jarrett's franchise tag is 6 times more than he made across his entire four year rookie contract from 2015-2018. He's likely seeking around $35M of upfront guarantees on a multi-year deal though.

» View the 2019 Cash Payroll

 

Top Active Career Earners

  Pos.Age.Career EarningsThoughts
Matt Ryan QB 34 $178,707,925 Drafted prior to the rookie wage scale, Ryan's 3 NFL contracts have total possible values of $67.5M, $103.75M, & $150M. His current deal runs through 2023.
Matt Schaub QB 37 $90,555,000 Schaub has earned around $12M as Ryan's backup for the past 6 years, but earned almost $70M from his days as a starter in Houston. 2019 will be his 16th NFL season.
Julio Jones WR 30 $76,609,579 Jones is already 9th on the all-time WR earnings list, and will find himself Top 5 after 2019 - even without a new contract.

» View the Career Earnings List

 

Notable 2020 Free Agents

  Pos.Age.Thoughts
Vic Beasley DE 26 Beasley was the worst graded Edge defender according to PFF in 2018, but appears poised to stick around on his $12.8M fully guaranteed salary. The high salary likely keeps him off the trade block at the deadline, so it's most likely he walks next March, barring a major comeback season in 2019.
Deion Jones ILB 24 Jones has been one of the best-rated inside linebackers each of his first three seasons, and would probably already have a new deal under his belt were it not for the ridiculous money the Jets decided to hand to CJ Mosely this March. That deal completely shattered the ceiling for interior linebacker money, putting players like Jones, & Bobby Wagner in a very good place.
Austin Hooper  TE 24 A quick start to 2019 for Hooper, who's coming off of a 71 catch, 660 yards, 4 TD season in Atlanta, will push him way up the extension candidate list.

» View All Free Agents

 

Top Fantasy Players

  Pos.PPR Pos. Rank.Non-PPR Pos. RankContract Expires
Matt Ryan QB 5 5 2024
Devonta Freeman  RB 14 15 2023
Ito Smith WR 40 50 2022
Julio Jones WR 3 3 2021
Calvin Ridley  WR 30 31 2023
Mohamed Sanu  WR 69 57 2021
Austin Hooper TE 10 13 2020
Team Defense DEF 20 20 N/A

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