CBS Sports identifies the Falcons’ best offseason move

After years of penny-pinching, the Atlanta Falcons went into the 2023 offseason with the second-most salary cap space in the NFL. The team was able to land one of the best defenders in free agency, while adding some quality veterans and retaining two key offensive linemen.

The Falcons later selected running back Bijan Robinson and guard Matthew Bergeron in the first two rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.

So what was the team’s best move of the offseason? According to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, Atlanta’s signing of former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III stood above all the others:

Was it a quiet offseason for Atlanta? Not on the defensive side of the ball, as the Falcons worked to get players that fit Ryan Nielsen’s scheme. Bates is the centerpiece of the defensive moves, signing one of the best safeties in football to a four-year, $64 million deal. 

Bates had the same impact last year as he had in previous years, finishing with 71 tackles, eight passes defensed and a career-high four interceptions for the Bengals in 2022. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 49.8 passer rating targeting Bates, completing just 59% of their passes.

Obviously, Atlanta’s secondary struggled last season and Bates should be a welcome addition. Could the play-making safety bring out the best of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell? Kerr seems to think so:

The Falcons had a bottom ten pass defense last season, ranking 25th in pass yards allowed and 23rd in pass touchdowns allowed. Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins were their starting safeties last season, so Bates is a massive upgrade. Bates should get A.J. Terrell back to his All-Pro level too. — Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports

Bates was a name we saw linked to the Falcons for much of the offseason, so it’s nice to see the team close the deal on one of the most dominant free safeties in football. Atlanta added a few other pieces to the secondary during free agency, including Bates’ former teammate, Tre Flowers, and nickel CB Mike Hughes.

It will be up to defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to get the most out of the team’s revamped defense this season.