The Atlanta Falcons are one of many teams looking to revamp their roster this offseason as they try to push for the playoffs. Atlanta doesn’t have much cap space right now ($5.3 million over the cap), per OverTheCap.com.
However, if/when they move off Kirk Cousins’ contract, the Falcons should have some wiggle room in free agency. That said, Atlanta has already made one move involving its secondary before the legal tampering period begins next week.
According to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, the Falcons are not tendering restricted free agent cornerback Dee Alford, making him an unrestricted free agent. However, Auman adds that there’s a chance Alford could return to Atlanta on a lesser deal before free agency.
Falcons will not be tendering restricted free agent cornerback Dee Alford, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next week. Finished third on the team with 83 tackles last year, so still possible he returns on a lesser deal before free agency.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 6, 2025
The 27-year-old cornerback wrapped up his third season with the Falcons after joining the team in 2022 on a futures deal. Alford, a Griffin, Georgia native, began his pro football career in 2021 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL.
Alford didn’t play much in his first season with the Falcons, but received extended snaps in his second year (2023), playing 53 percent of defensive and 33 percent of special teams snaps. He also had 41 combined tackles, six pass deflections and two tackles for loss.
Then this past season, the third-year cornerback saw his role and playing time expand under then-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. The former Tusculum standout recorded 83 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a sack (11 starts).
However, Alford struggled in pass coverage as the nickel back in Lake’s defensive scheme. He had a 72 completion percentage allowed on targets and gave up eight receiving touchdowns.
Additionally, Alford had a 58.2 overall grade on PFF (ranked 138th among 223 cornerbacks) and a 55.9 pass coverage grade (ranked 146th). Some Falcons fans would love to see him back on the team under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, while others want the team to find an upgrade at the nickel spot.