3 Great Free Agent Acquisitions By The Atlanta Falcons

After a rough 2014 Campaign for an Atlanta Falcons team that finished 6-10, the organization made many changes in the offseason.  Mike Smith was no longer the team’s head coach after seven seasons.  GM Thomas Dimitroff now works with new HC Dan Quinn on trying to build a better ball club in 2015.  The Falcons made several great moves both in free agency and in the 2015 NFL Draft.  With OTAs set to begin Tuesday, let’s take a look back on three free agent acquisitions made by the Falcons that will greatly impact the team this fall.

DE Adrian Clayborn

Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) gets called for an illegal hit on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons made a risk-reward move in signing DE Adrian Clayborn.  Clayborn was a former first-round pick of the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011 out of Iowa.  When healthy, the 6’3”, 281 lbs. pass rusher from St. Louis, MO is an obvious starter (36 Games, 36 Starts) that has 6-8 sack potential.  The problem with Clayborn is that he played in just four combined games in 2012 and 2014.  His talent is there but can Adrian Clayborn stay healthy for Dan Quinn’s Atlanta Falcons?

I’d like to think that Clayborn can bring so much to the Falcons’ pass rush.  He played alongside one of the game’s best defensive tackles Gerald McCoy for years.  When Adrian first signed with the Falcons, he was eager to play for Coach Quinn and try to prove to the league that he is still a great player when healthy.  I see Clayborn more as a situational player at this point in his career, which I think bodes well for his health and ultimately his productivity.  Plus, it’s always great to bring in a talented player from a rival team.

LB Justin Durant

Atlanta brings in an eight-year veteran at linebacker in Justin Durant.  Durant has played both inside and outside during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Detroit Lions, and most recently the Dallas Cowboys.  The former second-round pick by the Jags has started at least six games each season at linebacker.  Durant brings versatility to an inexperienced Falcons LB corps.

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Coach Quinn can definitely use a seasoned veteran at linebacker both on the field and in the locker room.  While nothing really blows me away about Durant on the stats sheet, Quinn and Dimitroff seem very excited to have him in their new defensive scheme.  Justin has been able to do a bit of everything in his NFL career: 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 5 forced fumbles.  Not really eye-popping for a veteran but I do think that more consistent playing time in Atlanta will bring out the best in Justin Durant.

Nov 2, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme (84) fails to make a catch while defended by New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 43-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

TE Jacob Tamme

Signing Jacob Tamme was a great under-the-radar move made by the Atlanta Falcons.  Anytime you can get a guy that has spent significant time in a Peyton Manning offense, I think you’re better off.  Tamme has spent his seven-year career between the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.  While he may have backed up Dallas Clark and Julius Thomas, Tamme was still able to catch 9 of his 10 touchdown passes from Manning.

Atlanta struggled mightily last year at TE trying to replace Tony Gonzalez.  It got so bad for Dirk Koetter last year that he just about ignored throwing the ball to tight ends towards the end of the season.  Roddy White received most of what would have been tight end passes while playing in the slot.

Tamme won’t have to change all that much to play in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.  That is because Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning have eerily similar skill sets.  I’m not saying that Matt Ryan is better than Manning, but they both quarterback their offense very much the same way.  Jacob Tamme should have at least a few TDs this fall now that he’s with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Atlanta Falcons begin OTAs Tuesday from Flowery Branch.  Training camp is not all that far away.  Rise Up, ATL!