The Atlanta Falcons need a dominating pass rusher. The team underachieved in every statistical category last season and general manager Thomas Dimitroff expressed the team's top priority this offseason would be toughness at the line. The Falcons will look to fill voids in the NFL Draft, but is also looking at a few top free agents as options once the offseason officially beings.
ESPN.com reports that if the Washington Redskins and linebacker Brian Orakpo are unable to reach a contract agreement and he hits the market, the Atlanta Falcons will be first in line to talk with him. The issue is that Orakpo will likely not be available no matter what. The Redskins have announced that if they fail to reach a deal with their top defensive player, they will apply the franchise tag. A one-year franchise deal for Orakpo will cost the team $11.45 million for 2014.
So while the Falcons may be looking Orakpo's way, they will not even get a chance to talk with him. So who could be another free agent for the team to consider? Jared Allen could be an option. Atlanta could get the veteran for cheaper than others. While his stats are down from other years, Allen can still be a threatening presence. However, the Falcons are looking to bring in players they can retain for years to come and Allen does not have too many more years left in the league.
Atlanta's real top priority with their pass rushing needs boils down to Jadeveon Clowney. After showing some impressive athleticism during the NFL scouting combine, the Falcons are thinking about trading up in order to get the defensive star. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Falcons could be in play with the St. Louis Rams to acquire the No. 2 overall pick in hopes of getting Clowney after the Houston Texans take a quarterback.
Dimitroff has built the reputation of being aggressive when it comes to making draft-day deals. The general manager once traded up big time in order to get wide receiver Julio Jones. That worked out well. They could be poised to do the same for Clowney.
Even if the Falcons draft Clowney, they will still sign at least one free agent pass rusher. Orakpo will most likely not be an option, but there is still plenty of quality on the market for the team to look at.