The Atlanta Falcons entered free agency in a dire cap situation. They proceeded to cut fan favorite and long-time starter Grady Jarrett and let stud offensive lineman Drew Dalman walk. Both players ended up signing with the Chicago Bears.
This allowed the Falcons to create some cap space to sign external free agents, but the fanbase wasn't particularly happy about these two decisions.
After seeing how the front office started to use their newfound financial flexibility, Falcons fans weren't impressed. On Tuesday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Atlanta's first signing in free agency, a two-year, $14 million deal for Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo.
NFL News: Falcons Sign LB Divine Deablo
Deablo is coming off his four-year rookie deal in Las Vegas and becomes the latest defensive starter to leave the Raiders in free agency.
On paper, this is not a huge contract for Deablo, who has proven himself to be a solid rotation player throughout his career. For the cash-strapped Falcons, however, every dollar counts and Deablo is not a true difference-maker.
In fact, the 26-year-old is coming off his worst season in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. He received a 57.3 grade, ranking him 64th among 85 eligible linebackers in the league. Deablo also dealt with injuries last season, missing three games with an oblique injury. In the 14 contests he played, he had four QB hits, four tackles for loss, one sack, and 35 solo tackles.
Deablo will presumably start next to Kaden Elliss at linebacker. Elliss had a solid season, leading the team in pressures and tackles, but continued to struggle in coverage.
Troy Andersen will be another option in the LB room, but his injury woes continue, as he missed ten games last season. Nate Landman is a restricted free agent, and what the Falcons decide to do with him will shape whether they will need to address the position in free agency or the draft.
For now, however, Deablo is projected as a possible starter. It was a signing in a position of need, but it's understandably hard for Falcons fans to get excited about the move.