Last season, Terry Fontenot finally had the financial flexibility to engage in free agency and brought in three defenders: Jessie Bates, Kaden Elliss, and David Onyemata.
Their arrivals elicited mixed reactions, but the Falcons reaped the rewards with an All-Pro performance from Bates and solid seasons from the other two.
This year, similar reactions emerged as the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 million deal and Darnell Mooney to a $39 million contract. Both signings faced criticism, with valid arguments made about potential overpayment.
Cousins, at 36 years old and recovering from an Achilles injury, has a limited postseason track record. Mooney, meanwhile, has yet to surpass 500 receiving yards in either the 2022 or 2023 seasons.
However, neither of these signings made Ryan Fowler’s list of the worst free agent acquisitions of the 2024 offseason. That dubious honor went to… Charlie Woerner??
While Woerner’s signing may not significantly impact Atlanta’s offensive performance, GM Terry Fontenot had the opportunity to add younger, more dynamic talent at tight end in the third and fourth rounds of the NFL draft.
Woerner, known for his blocking skills, may not align with the team’s shift away from a run-heavy approach under Arthur Smith. The hiring of new OC Zac Robinson suggests a potential focus on players like Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
However, given the substantial investment in quarterback Kirk Cousins, exploring options for agile tight ends in the draft could have expanded the playbook further.
Woerner’s recent performance also raises questions, with just three catches over the past two seasons and no touchdowns since entering the league in 2020.
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