Falcons free agent targets: Top free agent targets for Atlanta Falcons in 2023

The Atlanta Falcons had a mixed 2022 NFL season that saw them finish last in the NFC South. The Falcons entered the season with decent expectations, as they were expected to make some noise in their super-open Conference. Unfortunately, they fell well short of their target.

As such, heading into that 2023 NFL postseason, the Falcons will face some targets. They will need to address some issues through the free agency window, and they should be extra active in the 2023 NFL draft. Here are some free agents that the Falcons should pay attention to and, if possible, add to their rosters for the 2023 NFL season.

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Top Three 2023 Free Agent Targets for Atlanta Falcons

Here are three free agents the Atlanta Falcons should target heading into free agency. Based on team needs, they will be ranked from least important to most important:

#3 Jamel Dean, Cornerback

The Atlanta Falcons could use an extra cornerback, as that was a position of concern throughout the just concluded 2022 NFL season. Jamel Dean makes sense as a free-agent target to man the boundary opposite of A.J. Terrell.

Dean is likely going to command a four-year, $68 million deal. He could be an inspired addition for the Falcons, as he brings a big-game mentality to a team devoid of leaders. Of course, there are injury concerns when it comes to an addition like Dean, but as long as he stays fit, the Falcons have an elite slot cornerback on their roster.

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#2 Dalvin Tomlinson, Nose Tackle

Dalvin Tomlinson has that dog in him, and his performances last season for the New York Giants helped them break their six-year playoff drought.

A versatile defender, he has lined up in various schemes since coming into the NFL. Tomlinson has posted 13 sacks over six seasons, so he'd provide an interior push, which could help Grady Jarrett get more one on one.

The Falcons need players like him who are comfortable in the trenches and who can contribute to winning in more ways than one. He might cost a contract of around three years, $25.5 million, with an average annual value of $8.5 million, but that would be chicken change if he comes up nicely.

Dalvin Tomlinson is a few months away from 30, so the Atlanta Falcons should keep his next contract short and sweet.

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#1 James Bradberry, Cornerback

The fact that James Bradberry had yet another elite season at cornerback was lost in the unnecessary Twitter back-and-forth between JuJu Smith-Schuster and AJ Brown.

The Philadelphia Eagles stud was one of the critical components of the Eagles' stellar defensive unit, but his holding penalty contributed to his team's loss in the big game. Apart from that, Bradbury had a fabulous 2022 NFL season. The Atlanta Falcons should be looking his way, especially if the Philadelphia Eagles can't afford to retain him on their roster.

James Bradberry will be 30 in August, but he still looks great. After entering the league as a second-round pick with the Panthers, Bradberry only recently broke out in 2020 with the Giants. After a Pro Bowl selection in 2020, New York let him walk in free agency last offseason — succeeding with a divisional rival has to hurt.

The Pro Bowler still has a lot left in the tank, and he could be the Falcons' best addition of the postseason if they pull it off. It's not every time you see elite All-Pro select cornerbacks on the market.