With the offseason concluded, the Atlanta Falcons have somewhat of a better feel about how they fared with free agents signed from other teams.
Tight end Jacob Tamme (Denver) and wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (Washington) earned the most praise for their on-the-field performances in shorts. Linebacker Justin Durant (Dallas) emerged as a vocal leader, something the Falcons need after losing the inspiring Sean Weatherspoon to the Arizona Cardinals. Outside linebacker O'Brien Schofield (Seattle) and defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn (Tampa Bay) look poised to help bolster the pass rush. Offensive guard Chris Chester (Washington) seems solid enough -- at least as a run-blocker -- to settle in as starter. And the jury remains out on run-stopper Brooks Reed (Houston), who was limited by injury.
The Falcons went into free agency with the mindset not to overspend. They followed the script a year after they committed $25 million guaranteed to part-time players/run-stoppers Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson.
Here is a quick review of the contracts signed by players the Falcons brought from other teams this offseason:
Brooks Reed, OLB: 5-year deal, $22.5 million, $4.7 million signing bonus, $9 million guaranteed
Justin Durant, WLB: 3-year deal, $10.8 million, $1.25 million signing bonus, $3 million guaranteed
Mike Person, OG: 3-year deal, $3.35 million, $500,000 signing bonus, $500,000 guaranteed
Jacob Tamme, TE: 2-year deal, $3.2 million, $400,000 signing bonus, $400,000 guaranteed
Adrian Clayborn, DL: 1-year deal, $3 million, $750,000 signing bonus, $750,000 guaranteed
Chris Chester, OG: 1-year deal, $2.8 million, $550,000 signing bonus, $550,000
Carlton Mitchell, WR: 2-year deal, $1.26 million, $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed
O'Brien Schofield, OLB: 1-year deal, $1.7 million, $255,000 signing bonus, $255,000 guaranteed
Nick Williams, WR: 1-year deal, $1.1 million, $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed
Collin Mooney, FB: 1-year deal, $1.1 million, $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed
Leonard Hankerson, WR: 1-year deal, $1 million, $255,000 signing bonus, $255,000 guaranteed
Tyler Polumbus, OT: 1-year deal, $950,000, $80,000 signing bonus, $120,000 guaranteed
Phillip Adams, CB: 1-year deal, $745,000, $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed
Tony Moeaki, TE: 1-year deal, $745,000, $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed
Allen Bradford, LB: 1-year deal, $660,000, $0 signing bonus, $0 guaranteed
Jared Smith, OL: 1-year deal, $440,000, $5,000 signing bonus, $5,000 guaranteed
