The Atlanta Falcons have been one of the NFL's most active teams this offseason. General manager Terry Fontenot has already handed out 16 contracts to new and return Falcons players, according to Spotrac, and even more new deals could be on the way following the latest contract-related news.
On Wednesday, Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti reported that the Falcons have recently restructured contracts for offensive tackle Jake Matthews, safety A.J. Terrell, and guard Chris Lindstrom. The restructures will save Atlanta about $28.5 million, opening up just under $11.9 million in cap space along the way.
The #Falcons processed 3 significant transactions to create cap space in recent weeks:
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 26, 2025
Extend T Jake Matthews, freeing $8.5M
Salary convert S AJ Terrell, freeing $10M
Salary-convert G Chris Lindstrom, freeing $10M
Atlanta now heads toward April with around $12M of Top 51 space.…
While there are a handful of ways they can use the savings, the Falcons would be wise to use their newly freed-up cap space to target a certain free-agent pass rusher.
Falcons Must Target DT Folorunso Fatukasi With Newly Create Cap Space
The Falcons' defensive line is looking weaker after long-time presence Grady Jarrett signed with the Chicago Bears at the start of free agency. Although they've since added the likes of Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox while re-signing Ta'Quon Graham, GM Fontenot & Co. can further fill Jarrett's void by using their new savings to target veteran DT Folorunso Fatukasi in free agency.
Fatukasi, 30, is a seven-year NFL veteran who's played 86 games (63 starts) since being drafted 180th overall by the New York Jets in 2018. The former UConn Huskie has been a reliable run-stopping presence for the majority of his career as he's racked up 106 solo tackles, seven broken-up passes, 5.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Although he's had a solid run so far, Fatukasi will be looking to bounce back wherever he goes. The Far Rockaway, NY native is coming off a down season with the Houston Texans that saw him finish with career-low grades on Pro Football Focus when it came to run defense (33.9), pass rushing (56.9), and overall defense (35.6).
With that in mind, a trip to Atlanta could be exactly what he needs to get back on track. After all, Fatukasi has experience playing under Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and defensive line coach Nate Ollie. Ulbrich held the same position with the Jets during the 2021 season, whereas Ollie worked with the veteran DT while coaching DLs in New York (2021) and Houston (2024).
It's worth noting that Fatukasi's best performance came with both Ulbrich and Ollie in his corner in 2021. The 6-foot-4 defender recorded a personal-best 46 total tackles with 25 solo efforts that year, while also finishing with the best PFF pass rush grade (64.9) of his career.
Perhaps a reunion with the coaching duo will help him return to a similar level.
Signing a proven defender Fatukasi who has connections to the coaching staff could be what the Falcons need to surpass last season's eight-win total. For now, their projected total for the 2025 campaign sits at 7.5 wins with the Over being favored at -115 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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