The legendary John Wooden once said “never mistake activity for achievement.” It’s one of the quotes that aligns with the overall landscape of free agency. Some teams have all the cap space imaginable. They sign talented players to lucrative contracts, who may or may not elevate their franchise. Some teams focus far more on building through the draft. That may come with being forced into operating under tight financial constraints. What we do know is that signing several highly-regarded players doesn’t
guarantee future success.
The Falcons certainly fall into the latter this year, as new general manager Ian Cunningham wanted to raise the floor of the roster. With several low-cost moves, his intentions are clear to build a competitive roster for 2026. It may look uninspiring for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017. It’s ultimately a sensible approach for the new regime that must clean up previous messes and personnel mistakes.
Kevin Knight joins me for the first roundtable of the offseason. We will discuss the most pressing questions surrounding the team.
Is Tua Tagovailoa the ideal quarterback to challenge Michael Penix Jr. to lead the offense?
Allen Strk: It’s an understandable decision from a schematic and financial standpoint. Tagovailoa will get the ball out quickly. His accuracy in the short to intermediate middle areas of the field will be welcomed in an offense with two big pass-catchers. The idea of having two lefty passers does have benefits. Most importantly, it didn’t cost much to bring him in.
While there are aspects to signing him, Tagovailoa is a limited quarterback with several glaring weaknesses. He struggles to push the ball downfield. Asking him to operate out of structure usually results in negative plays. There are many times when he makes his first read instantly without seeing if the defender is reading his eyes. Watching Tagovailoa operate is an incredibly underwhelming experience. Signing Kyler Murray or Geno Smith would have been better to compete with Penix Jr.
Kevin Knight: Tagovailoa pairs well with Penix for a number of reasons. The obvious one is that they’re both left-handed throwers. While this may seem like a trivial thing, it’s actually really nice for the offense to have continuity there. A small thing, but one that should help smooth over rough edges. Another is financial: the Falcons shouldn’t be committing significant money or resources to Penix Jr.’s competition. That would hurt the rest of the roster. Tua’s vet minimum price tag is a major selling point.
Finally, Tua is a known NFL commodity at this point. I think his career as a whole puts him as a relatively average—if inconsistent—starter. That’s what we need to compare Penix Jr. to: is Penix Jr. an upgrade over an average NFL starter or not? At the end of the day, Tagovailoa gives you everything you need to properly evaluate Penix without spending major resources. This is a very smart signing.
Do you like how the new regime has started bolstering the wide receiver group?
Allen Strk: There were some more higher-caliber players out there that they could have pursued, but the signings are ideal fits. Jahan Dotson gives them some much-needed explosiveness. While his inability to get open last season received some buzz recently, it should be noted how dysfunctional Philadelphia’s offense was. A change of scenery should be beneficial in a more expanded role. Olamide Zaccheaus has played for three terrific teams since leaving Atlanta in 2022. His knack for making plays across the middle of the field will be useful. Coming off three straight years of Super Bowl and deep playoff runs must be valued in a locker room that hasn’t played meaningful January football.
These are solid additions who provide more variety to a limited passing game last season. The front office could have been more ambitious with its personnel choices. Tyquan Thornton is one of the more intriguing deep threats who can stretch opposing defenses. Christian Kirk has battled injuries, but there’s no denying how productive he can be. Those are two players who would have elevated the aerial attack. Dotson and Zaccheaus are good, quality complementary players. Thornton and Kirk possess the ability to be genuine difference makers. That’s where the new regime slightly falls short in improving a position that desperately needed talent.
Kevin Knight: Yes. This was the approach I thought they’d take, given that the team will likely be spending major money on Drake London’s extension (and maybe Kyle Pitts). Dotson is absolutely an upgrade over everyone on the roster in 2025 not named London. He’s a good WR3 who could have WR2 upside, but I think fans would be wise to pencil him in as more of a WR3-caliber player. He’s a sharp route runner with good hands and can create separation across the field.
Zaccheaus is more of a WR3/4, but again, he is an upgrade over all the other depth receivers on last year’s roster. He’s a well-rounded receiver who can play outside or in the slot, and gives this team a reliable option to boost what is likely to be a rookie-heavy room heading into 2026.
Which defensive signing excites you the most?
Allen Strk: Da’Shawn Hand played significant snaps for a very good Chargers’ defense. They were consistently well-organized in handling gap assignments and playing sound coverage. For Hand to earn a place in the rotation proves the trust he earned from a top-tier coaching staff. The Falcons are in dire need of size on the interior, which Hand will provide by taking on double teams. He can also be disruptive in between gaps.
No matter how much young talent is on a defensive line, it’s essential to have at least one veteran. That experience is vital to help players grow and keep the rotation balanced. The front office will have to draft one more interior tackle to feel comfortable with the options up front. Adding Hand gives them more size and power to limit opposing running games.
Kevin Knight: Samson Ebukam could really surprise people this season. Ebukam had a breakout season in 2023 with 9.5 sacks before tearing his Achilles in 2024. It’s well-known that it takes two years to fully recover from that injury. That sets Ebukam up well for 2026.
The Falcons may have gotten quite the bargain on an ascending pass rusher who is also a physical run defender. Beyond Ebukam, I think the biggest thing is that the team has targeted more well-rounded edge rushers this offseason. Cameron Thomas, Azeez Ojulari, and Ebukam are all solid or better against the run. That should help improve the defense as a unit, despite losing some pass-rushing production.
How do you envision Kaden Elliss being replaced?
Allen Strk: As Jeff Ulbrich put it best, it would take more than one human being to replace one of the team’s most valuable defensive players. What Elliss provided as a run defender and blitzer was incredibly impressive. His versatility in lining up across different formations and continued progression in coverage deserve acknowledgement. The more he took on a leadership role in Atlanta, the more you recognize how intelligent he is as a player.
Adding Christian Harris does give them more speed at the position. It’s hard to see what more he will offer after two years of being a backup in Houston. Expecting Troy Andersen to stay on the field, let alone play up to his potential, seems unrealistic based on the past three seasons. Ulbrich has a strong track record of developing linebackers. Jalon Walker will get his share of opportunities in Elliss’ role on passing downs to generate pressure and create coverage disguises. Drafting an intriguing prospect in the later rounds is likely their best option to find a true capable starter alongside Divine Deablo. As the savvy defensive coordinator stated, it will take a collective effort to replace a player of Elliss’ caliber.
Kevin Knight: This will be a multifaceted approach. In the immediate future, I’d imagine Harris is the starting linebacker next to Deablo. Harris gives the defense a lot more coverage ability and speed, and that can help in other ways despite him not being as dangerous a pass rusher. I’d be surprised if a rookie linebacker didn’t enter the picture, as well.
We know Walker can do some of the stand-up rushing that Elliss did, but he’ll be needed a lot more on the edge if James Pearce Jr. is out of the picture. We may also see more safety or slot corner blitzes mixed in to make up for the loss of Elliss. Finally, if this defensive interior can stay healthy, the team may not need as much extra pressure up the middle, with Zach Harrison, Brandon Dorlus, and Ruke Orhorhoro rushing the passer.
