Prior to the NFL Draft, the Falcons lacked the funds to pay for their rookie class. OverTheCap estimated the Falcons would need about $7 million to sign their 2022 draft class, and their pre-draft projection of the team’s salary cap was $3.4 million. However, circumstances have changed.

First, the Falcons decided to cut ties with Mike Davis after selecting BYU running back Tyler Allgeier in the fifth round of the draft. This move created $2.5 million in ceiling space.

Then the Falcons and Grady Jarrett agreed to a lucrative, three-year, $51 million contract extension that locked in one of the lone mainstays on the roster and simultaneously lowered his cap reached this year. Jarrett’s $12.9 million cap in 2022 saves the team $10.9 million.

The Falcons can still cut Kendall Sheffield to save another $2.5 million. Sheffield are not going to enter the rotation from the starting corner unless there are unforeseen injuries, so that seems like a no-brainer.

As it stands, the Falcons currently have just under $16 million in cap space, according to OTC. Once the rookie class is signed, that should leave Atlanta with around $10 million to spend. Some of that will be saved for an emergency fund during the season, but the Falcons will also have room to add a free agent or two.

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Photographer: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire

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