April is here, and Atlanta Falcons fans are excited to see what their team has in store leading up to this month's NFL draft. Few teams have been as active as the Falcons in free agency so far, with general manager Terry Fontenot having already spent $170.3 million on 17 new contracts, according to Spotrac.
Even though the roster already looks different compared to last year, there's still plenty of time for more changes to arrive in Atlanta. In fact, signing a certain free-agent pass rusher would be one way to ensure that the Falcons start the new month on the right foot.
Falcons Must Sign Free Agent EDGE DeMarcus Walker to Start April
Although most big-name free agents have already found new homes, one who hasn't is veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Walker. The former 2017 second-round pick is looking for a fresh start after spending the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears, resulting in 42 solo tackles and seven sacks while starting 29 of his 34 appearances.
The Falcons could certainly use someone with Walker's resume after finishing with the second-fewest sacks (31) and second-worst Pro Football Focus pass rush grade (59.0) last season. Atlanta's pass rush situation worsened with star defender Grady Jarrett's offseason exit, and even though the team has since signed Leonard Floyd to help fill the void, more help is needed.
That's why the Falcons should target Walker, even if he doesn't have a trophy cabinet filled with accolades. He's racked up 26.5 sacks since debuting in 2017, and his 61.3 PFF pass rush grade from last season would rank third among exterior defenders currently contracted by Atlanta.
With over $11.8 million in cap space remaining, per Spotrac, the Falcons have more than enough room to sign Walker. They can convert most of any potential salary into a bonus, ensuring the deal is as team-friendly as possible to help mitigate any risks.
If things work out and Walker's performance exceeds his contract value, great. If not, the Falcons won't lose any sleep over taking a swing on a former proven disruptor, especially if it's only a one-year deal.
Few available pass rushers have a resume comparable to Walker's list. With that being said, it's in the Falcons' best interest to sign the 30-year-old pass rusher before another team pounces on the opportunity.