The Atlanta Falcons signed safety Charles Godfrey to a contract extension on Thursday.
Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported it is a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Godfrey signed for the veteran minimum ($730,000) upon joining the Falcons last season after being released by the Panthers.
The Falcons need depth at safety, and maybe the price of Godfrey's deal indicates he might get a chance to compete for a regular role. He was a regular starter at free safety during his first five seasons in the league with Carolina.
The Falcons' three experienced safeties set to return are William Moore, Kemal Ishmael and Dezmen Southward, a second-year player capable of playing cornerback as well. Zeke Motta also is under contract but missed the 2014 season with a neck injury. Sean Baker and Brandan Bishop are the other safeties on the roster.
The Falcons could re-sign Dwight Lowery, who was a regular starter last season. But there hasn't been much movement in talks between the Falcons and Lowery.
New Falcons coach Dan Quinn likes tall safeties with range, which is why he appeared to get excited when talking about the speedy, 6-foot-1 Southward. However, Southward has many strides to make in terms of tackling and making plays on the ball.
It seems likely that the Falcons will target a taller safety in free agency if one is available at a reasonable price. The draft, of course, is another route they could take, but the talent is slim at safety this year.
