Atlanta Falcons

Linebacker Deone Bucannon is headed to the Atlanta Falcons for the 2020 season. 

A former first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2014, Bucannon spent last year with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording 25 combined tackles in 14 games playing mostly off the bench. 

We have agreed to terms with LB Deone Bucannon.

📝 - https://t.co/m9k8oyrIaz pic.twitter.com/Fuoe19m0wV

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 21, 2020

The Falcons announced the move Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Even before the NFC South became a powerhouse overnight thanks to Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Drew Brees returning to the New Orleans Saints and Teddy Bridgewater signing with the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons had plenty of work to do on defense.

Atlanta finished last season ranked 20th in the league with 355.8 yards allowed per game. The team also gave up 24.9 points per game, the 10th-worst mark in the league. 

The team went to great lengths to add depth on defense this offseason hoping for quick improvement. Before Bucannon, Atlanta had already agreed to deals with defensive tackle Tyeler Davison and defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. while trading for another defensive end in Charles Harris. 

Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com explained where Bucannon fits in with his new team:

"The Falcons' 2020 offseason has been largely about adding versatility to their defense, and this move is a continuation of that theme. At 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds, Bucannon is much smaller than a typical linebacker – even by today's standards – but he offers the physicality to play a role in a big nickel package. His athleticism at the linebacker position is also a positive and something the Falcons covet on their defense."

In adding Bucannon, the Falcons get a 27-year-old, 6'1", 211-pound former All-American who is only a few years removed from a 2017 season in which he recorded 82 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception and three pass deflections. 

The addition of Tom Brady makes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a much scarier opponent for the NFC South, meaning the division will be even tougher going into 2020.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan discussed the free-agent signing Tuesday on SportsCenter.

"It didn't get any easier in our division, for sure," Ryan said (h/t Riley Gates of 247Sports). "They're solid. Tampa's defense was really tough. They add Tom, who's such a consistent and great player. The division's going to be a battle every week."

The Falcons don't face the Buccaneers until Week 15 and then again in Week 17.

"It's tough but I think any time you get those division games late in the year, it gives you a chance to either make up ground, or separate yourself," Ryan added. "That's what we're going to need to do that time of the year."

The Buccaneers have gone 12 straight seasons without a playoff berth, but adding Brady gives the team a quarterback who has won 11 division titles in a row with the New England Patriots. He has six Super Bowl championships, including one win over Ryan and the Falcons.

According to Caesars Casino, Tampa Bay has 12-1 odds to win a title this season, while the Falcons are listed at 60-1. With the New Orleans Saints already coming off a 13-3 season in 2019 and the Carolina Panthers adding Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason, the NFC South could be especially deep.

Meanwhile, the Falcons will need to improve after back-to-back 7-9 seasons.

Atlanta did end the year on a high note with six wins in the final eight games, but Ryan knows the improvements around the division will put more pressure on him.

"In terms of what we need to do offensively, we're obviously going to have to score some points," he said Tuesday. "There's some great offenses in our division. We've got to focus on that, going out week-in and week-out, finding ways to get touchdowns when we get in the red area."

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said Thursday he's not sure where running back Todd Gurley stands physically after lingering concerns about his left knee during the past few years with the Los Angeles Rams.

"The main question, that no one seems to know, is what is his health status?" Koetter told reporters.

Gurley signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Falcons in April.

The 25-year-old University of Georgia product earned three Pro Bowl selections across five years with the Rams while establishing himself as one of the most effective dual-threat running backs in the NFL.

His typically heavy workload started to decline late in the 2018 campaign, however, and he recorded just 16 touches over the team's final two games of that season's playoffs, including L.A.'s loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII.

Although Gurley made 15 appearances for the Rams last season, he posted career-low totals in both carries (223) and rushing yards (857). His 3.8 yards per carry represented a significant drop from the career-high 4.9 he recorded in 2018.

The Maryland native said after signing with the Falcons the knee isn't an issue.

"I know I'm still that guy," Gurley told reporters. "Been doing this my whole life. It's just football."

Koetter, who's entering his second season guiding the Atlanta offense, doesn't sound so sure.

"We'll find out his health after he gets here," he said. "He's saying all the right things. ... I know he's excited and all the Georgia Bulldogs fans are excited. We'll just see. The question is his health. We'll have to see."

Koetter added: "He had two seasons where he was arguably the best running back in football. When he's at his best, he's got speed, he's got power...we all see what he can do. We just gotta see how healthy he is, and how consistently he can do it."

The Falcons don't have any proven depth behind Gurley. Brian Hill, Qadree Ollison and Ito Smith are the top reserve options on the roster.

Devonta Freeman, who spent the past six years in Atlanta, remains a free agent after being released in March. He could be a fallback option should concerns persist about his replacement's health.

The Atlanta Falcons have contacted the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins about potentially setting up joint training camp practices.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn told reporters Tuesday that the teams plan to continue to talk but no agreement has been reached.

Joint practices are a regular feature of typical training camps, but there has been little discussion of them as the NFL schedule remains in a state of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Falcons are slated to play the Dolphins in Week 1 of the preseason and the Bills in Week 2. Assuming the preseason schedule goes ahead—a big if given that most states are in the infancy of re-opening—the teams could hold practices before their games.

It will nevertheless be a play-it-by-ear situation, especially in regard to safety and travel. The NFL, perhaps more than any other league, is incapable of having a centralized location for its games. The only way the league will be able to operate is if most teams can play in their home stadiums, even if those matchups are held without fans.

Ideas like joint practices are in the theoretical stage right now. 

Coming off back-to-back seven-win seasons, the Atlanta Falcons are set to embark on what could be a pivotal year for head coach Dan Quinn.

The Falcons announced in December they were retaining Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora questioned, however, whether team owner Arthur Blank will look for a new head coach should the team start slowly out of the gates in 2020.

The level of competition in the NFC South didn't get any easier for Atlanta. Drew Brees returned to the New Orleans Saints, and Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, anything short of a playoff appearance will likely be considered a disappointment.

With the NFL unveiling the regular-season schedule, here's what the Falcons' road ahead looks like per the team's website:

     

Falcons 2020 Schedule

Week 1 (Sunday, September 13): vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 2 (Sunday, September 20): at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 3 (Sunday, September 27): vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 4 (Monday, October 5): at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Week 5 (Sunday, October 11): vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 6 (Sunday, October 18): at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 7 (Sunday, October 25): vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 8 (Thursday, October 29): at Carolina Panthers, 8:20 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 9 (Sunday, November 8): vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Week 10: BYE

Week 11 (Sunday, November 22): at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 12 (Sunday, November 29): vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Week 13 (Sunday, December 6): vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 15 (Sunday, December 13): at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 15 (Sunday, December 20): vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 16 (Sunday, December 27): at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Week 17 (Sunday, January 3): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

           

Analysis

Based on their opponents' 2019 records, the Falcons are tied with the fifth-toughest schedule in the NFL, per CBSSports.com's John Breech. Of course, that doesn't reflect whether teams have strengthened or weakened this offseason.

The Falcons and their NFC South brethren drew the AFC West for their inter-conference games in 2020. Atlanta has the misfortune of playing the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on the road, too.

Other than the Chiefs, though, the AFC West is in a state of flux.

The Los Angeles Chargers have a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2005, while the Denver Broncos handed their offense over to Drew Lock when they released Joe Flacco. In Sin City, Derek Carr is on shaky ground after the Las Vegas Raiders signed Marcus Mariota.

Racking up three wins against AFC West opponents isn't a guarantee but certainly feasible for Atlanta.

The bad news for the Falcons is that they welcome the Seattle Seahawks and hit the road to play the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. Each of those games could have postseason implications, and Atlanta is arguably the underdog in every one.

In general, the schedule does the Falcons few favors.

          

Pivotal Matchups

Atlanta's divisional games obviously carry a significant amount of weight, but the team is effectively the third-favorite right now to take the NFC South.

The wild card is the Falcons' likeliest route to the playoffs, which puts a level of importance on those aforementioned matchups with the Vikings, Cowboys, Packers and Seahawks. Those five teams could all be jostling for positioning in the middle of the NFC standings.

Looking at that group, Atlanta's Week 1 date with Seattle could carry the most weight.

The Seahawks have finished runner-up in the division for three straight years and they'll have a hard time overtaking the reigning champion San Francisco 49ers. That puts them in closer competition with the Falcons.

By losing to Seattle, Atlanta would have an even smaller margin of error across a schedule that provides precious few games that could be reasonably considered gimmes.

The Atlanta Falcons, looking to upgrade their pass rush, have acquired Charles Harris from the Miami Dolphins for a 2021 seventh-round pick, the team announced.

The Athletic's Jason Butt first reported the news. 

The Dolphins selected Harris 22nd overall in 2017, but he struggled to break into the defensive line rotation, making just eight starts in 41 games played.

He showed promise during his rookie season with 12 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and two sacks. But the Missouri product has managed just 11 quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 25 games over the past two seasons combined.

Harris is set to earn $1.94 million next season in the final guaranteed year of his rookie contract, per Spotrac.

The Dolphins have spent this offseason reshaping their roster, as Kyle Van Noy, Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson were brought in to upgrade the pass rush.

Atlanta, meanwhile, had an opening on the defensive line after letting Vic Beasley leave in free agency. Harris will likely play behind Dante Fowler Jr., who signed a three-year, $48 million deal in March.

The Falcons' 28 sacks in 2019 ranked 29th overall and marked their lowest total since 2014 (22).

Takkarist McKinley could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason after the Atlanta Falcons declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.  

McKinley announced the Falcons' decision on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Takk/status/1255530576880316419

McKinley becomes the first Falcons player not to have his fifth-year option picked up since the rookie wage scale was implemented in 2011, per Over the Cap's Hardik Sanghavi. 

Atlanta traded up with the Seattle Seahawks during the 2017 NFL Draft to select McKinley with the 27th overall pick. The hope was he would be able to upgrade the team's pass-rush coming off an appearance in the Super Bowl the previous season. 

McKinley got off to a promising start with seven tackles for loss and six sacks as a rotation player during his rookie year. He recorded a career-high 15 quarterback hits and seven sacks in 2018. 

Last season was a step back for McKinley, despite starting 13 games. The California native finished fourth on Atlanta's defense with seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.  

S25 Jaylinn Hawkins, California

STRENGTHS

—Can challenge receivers and tight ends vertically for the ball.

—More ball production than most safeties; had 10 career interceptions, including six his junior year. 

—Ideal size and physical play for strong safety and special teams. 

—Eager to play toward the line of scrimmage. 

                

WEAKNESSES

—Tape looks slow; needs to use shorter, choppier steps when breaking down. 

—Tries to work around blockers too often. 

—Lacks range and long speed.

—Poor footwork working to the ball; leads to unsquare tackles and extra yards. 

            

OVERALL 

Hawkins has the necessary size for the position but lacks the athletic ability in short-area and long speed. His six interceptions in 2018 put his name on draft boards, but he was unable to follow up with similar production in 2019. Hawkins profiles as a backup safety and will have to contribute on special teams.

                   

GRADE: 55

PRO COMPARISON: Jordan Lucas/Gerod Holliman

Mykal Walker, Fresno State

LB25

STRENGTHS

—Two-year first-team All-Mountain West player with consistent performance and statistical production.

—Impressive spatial awareness allows him to naturally compete.

—Consistent tackler that won't wow with a ton of highlight hits but routinely gets the job done.

—Good awareness in underneath zone coverage to switch off routes and close perceived windows and throwing lanes.

—Can be an immediate core special teamer with some positional flexibility to play in the box, flexed slightly out to match slots underneath, and some edge-pressure potential.

               

WEAKNESSES

—Doesn't bring the thump as much as teams will want; too inconsistent to fill downhill with aggressiveness. 

—Doesn't need to be a headhunter, but his physicality doesn't flash.

—Good straight-line speed, but on-field movements look frenetic and disconnected; no sense of fluidity to his lateral movements. 

—Lateral burst and agility are major concerns.

—Heavy-footed when he has to open and run to the boundary; angles look off and movement looks unnatural.

—Never seems to hit top gear while running in the open field. 

            

OVERALL 

Walker may be one of the most difficult evaluations in this linebacker class. He's routinely productive from a statistical standpoint and he has a natural feel for the position. His athletic testing numbers were solid, but his play on the field doesn't show an above-average athlete. He looks labored when he opens to run and never seems to hit his stride. Identifying whether it's a mobility, ability or effort issue will be critical in determining whether he succeeds in the NFL.

             

GRADE: 56

PRO COMPARISON: Alec Ogletree/Marquel Lee

C Matt Hennessy, Temple

  

STRENGTHS

—Awarded single-digit practice jersey at Temple, an honor given to the toughest players on the team.

—Pass protection is a thing of beauty; smooth out of his stance, efficiently sets his kickstand, has good overall posture throughout hips and lower back and keeps his hands coiled inside his frame.

—Solid overall athleticism with the ability to reach shaded tackles and work laterally in zone schemes.

—Has great mobility in all critical joints in his lower half, which helps him to absorb pressure in pass protection and anchor against it. 

—Well-above-average balance in space and remains square throughout contact.

—Hands and feet work independently when needed; able to move swiftly through traffic. 

—Top-tier spatial awareness and body control allow him to maintain leverage angles to the boundary in the run game.

—Three-year starter with reassuring consistency and above-average competitive toughness on every rep.

—Saw multiple two-for-one specials on film where he is engaged, realizes it's been an effective block, and keeps working to clean up others; stays engaged throughout the entire play and looks to get his hands on anyone in the wrong jersey color.

   

WEAKNESSES

—Thin overall frame (6'4", 307 lbs); needs to add mass to his lower half and build a more rounded chest. —Will struggle if he walks right into a scheme asking him to base-block two-gapping nose tackles.

—Hangs on vertical combos too long and doesn't come off at the right angle; needs to improve his in-motion processing to track second-level defenders on the fly.

—Does not offer pure power that other interior players do; will struggle when asked to dig out squatty tackles who have length to get inside his frame before he can land his punch.

—Pad level gets away from him at times and he's too willing to play taller than he should because he's winning; NFL defenders will outleverage him with ease if he isn't consistent. 

    

OVERALL 

Hennessy is a remarkably efficient mover who doesn't take a play off and has the kind of tenacity teams want in a leader of the line. He has a fairly thin overall frame, and facing NFL-caliber beef up front might prove to be a tall task early in his career. However, Hennessy is all effort and has managed to win thus far despite his limited frame. If he's able to build functional strength throughout his core, there's no reason he can't develop into a high-level starter. He's a smooth pass protector and lives for lateral blocks in space. He personified tough and was recognized for it in college, which suggests he has the work ethic to build the body his new team wants.

    

GRADE: 84

PRO COMPARISON: Jason Kelce/J.C. Tretter