Free-agent decisions looming next week

QB Cousins could be available, but Falcons also face key losses.

The Falcons are $41.6 million under the salary cap heading to the start of the new NFL business year next week, according to Spotrac.com.

That’s plenty of room to work in a contract for quarterback Kirk Cousins when free agency begins Wednesday, if he does not re-sign with the Vikings. Internally, the Falcons don’t have any pressing free-agent matters. If they get Cousins, that would keep them from going after any other major players in free agency.

The Falcons have moved on from tight end Jonnu Smith, who was released during the NFL scouting combine last week.

Coming off career highs in catches (50) and receiving yards (582), Smith had a meeting with the Dolphins on Tuesday, according to the Miami Herald. Smith’s projected market value is two years, $11.3 million, according to Spotrac.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah may be headed to free agency. He played in 13 games and made nine starts last season. He played sparingly over the last five games as the team moved to rookie defensive back Clark Phillips III. The Falcons picked up Okudah, who was the third player taken in the 2020 draft by the Lions, for a fifth-round pick in April. He had 44 tackles, three tackles for loss and three pass breakups.

Quarterbacks completed 65.5% of their passes when throwing at Okudah and had a 94.6 passer rating, according to Pro Football Reference.com’s advanced statistics. He gave up 528 yards passing, 322 through the air and 206 after the catch and had only one missed tackle. His projected market value is four years, $59 million, by Spotrac.

In addition to Okudah, defensive end Calais Campbell and outside linebacker Bud Dupree were

the most productive players last season who are headed for free agency. Campbell and Dupree had 6.5 sacks each, accounting for 31% of the Falcons sacks (13 of 42).

Running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson had a down year. His projected market value is one year, $2.5 million.

Other prospective free agents include: wide receiver Mack Hollins, fullback Keith Smith, wide receiver Van Jefferson, defensive tackle Kentavious Street, wide receiver Scotty Miller, cornerback Tre Flowers, tight end MyCole Pruitt, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, guard/center Matt Hennessy, defensive end Joe Gaziano and quarterback Logan Woodside.

Restricted free agents are defensive tackle Albert Huggins, offensive tackle Ethan Greenidge and tight end Feleipe Franks.