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Atlanta Falcons: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp

By Mitchell Hansen

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at the Georgia Dome on November 29, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at the Georgia Dome on November 29, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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4. Larry Warford

Another veteran player that is still available as a free agent this offseason for the Atlanta to consider comes on the offensive line with veteran guard Larry Warford.

Warford has been a solid player on the front line for the entirety of his career, and it’s somewhat of a surprise to see a player of his caliber available on the open market and on the search for a new team in 2020 and beyond.

This offseason, Warford was cut by the New Orleans Saints after completing his seventh season in the NFL and third season in New Orleans. The 29-year-old guard has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his last three seasons with the Saints after putting together four seasons with the Detroit Lions before arriving in New Orleans.

Warford would not only help boost an offensive line unit to protect Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and open holes for the Atlanta run game led by newest addition Todd Gurley this season but would fill a need on the front line simultaneously among the Falcons depth chart.

Atlanta does have an opening at left guard that could be filled by Warford, and the veteran lineman would provide it with a reliable player in that spot this season and perhaps for the next few years ahead.

During the 2019 campaign, Warford took the field for 15 of the possible 16 regular-season contests for the Saints, having played in at least 13 games for the entirety of his professional career to this point. The guard played in a total of 91 percent of New Orleans’ total offensive snaps, while recording just four penalties at his position.

Bringing in Warford on a multi-year deal, or even at the very least a one-year contract, could put this Falcons offense over the top and his acquisition would allow Ryan and company the ability to continue to flex their offensive firepower capabilities throughout the course of every game.

The longer that Warford remains on the free-agent market, the more and more Atlanta should consider trying to sign the guard to fill in within the offensive line. It could be a move that would benefit both sides moving forward.

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