The Atlanta Falcons have a busy offseason ahead. While they need a solution to some unresolved quarterback drama, another item on general manager Terry Fontenot’s to-do list is finding some help for their defense.
Atlanta ranked 19th in yards per play (5.5) and 23rd in scoring defense last season. While the front seven has taken most of the blame, the Falcons also need to do something about a secondary that surrendered 6.3 net yards per attempt.
That puts cornerback towards the top of their offseason wish list, and a potential bargain unexpectedly hit the free agent market on Friday.
Roster Moves | We have released CB Kendall Fuller, RB Raheem Mostert and TE Durham Smythe. pic.twitter.com/TD3Ygu9vRt
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 14, 2025
Falcons Could Be A Potential Suitor for Former Dolphins Cornerback Kendall Fuller
The Miami Dolphins released cornerback Kendall Fuller on Friday after his lone season with the team. The 30-year-old began his career as a third-round pick by the Washington Commanders and spent two years in the nation’s capital before he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in a trade that sent Alex Smith to Washington.
Fuller returned to Washington after two seasons with the Chiefs and played four more years with the Commanders, racking up 10 interceptions in his second stint with the team. Fuller failed to record an interception last season with the Dolphins but was still a serviceable player, allowing 27 receptions for 316 yards and a touchdown with a 62.8% completion rate on 43 targets.
A.J. Terrell remains the Falcons’ top cornerback, and Dee Alford could return as a restricted free agent next season. But Fuller could serve a purpose as a depth corner and help the Falcons’ effectiveness against the pass.
The best aspect of Fuller coming to Atlanta is his cost. Fuller made $2.5 million with the Dolphins last season, and a similar price could be music to the Falcons’ ears.
According to Over The Cap, Atlanta currently is $11.1 million over the salary cap but will incur $65 million in dead money and a $25 million cap penalty if they release Kirk Cousins as expected. The Falcons could also designate Cousins as a post-June 1 cut, but that would kick all of the savings to the 2026 season.
With limited financial means to improve the roster, Fuller makes sense and it could lead to a pursuit to bring him to Atlanta in the coming weeks.