With the Atlanta Falcons just ten days away from finalizing their roster, difficult choices loom across several positions, especially at cornerback, where competition is fierce. The team‘s efforts to strengthen their struggling secondary have become a central focus as they look to improve defensive performance heading into the 2024 season.
Intensifying Competition for Secondary Roles
Recently, the Falcons bolstered their cornerback group by signing former first-round pick C.J. Henderson, yet voices within the NFL community suggest the team may need more experienced help. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report emphasized the Falcons’ potential need for a seasoned veteran, possibly a Super Bowl-winning free agent. Rasul Douglas, who remains unsigned, has emerged as a promising candidate in this context.
Knox observed that Douglas
“likely has plenty to offer a team in need of secondary help.”
Over his eight-year career, Douglas has accumulated 19 interceptions, including three returned for touchdowns, and 79 passes defended, highlighting his playmaking ability despite recent setbacks.
Rasul Douglas’s Recent Performance Challenges
Douglas is coming off a difficult 2024 season where his statistics reflected a downturn; he posted a career-high in completion percentage allowed at 72.9% and had an opposing passer rating of 122.0. These numbers represent a notable drop in effectiveness for the veteran cornerback and may explain why he remains unsigned at this stage.
Possibility of a Career Resurgence with the Falcons
If the Falcons do pursue Douglas, their hope would be that he can recapture the form he showed during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While not a Pro Bowl player in those years, Knox labeled him “a bona fide playmaker,” pointing to the potential for a significant comeback.
Senior NFL insider Josina Anderson added that multiple teams have shown interest in Douglas. He also declined an offer from the Miami Dolphins, which may suggest that he prefers to join a more familiar setup. This preference could play to the Falcons’ advantage, as Douglas spent time with the Green Bay Packers in 2022, working closely with current Atlanta assistant head coach Jerry Gray and secondary coach Justin Hood.
Managing Financial Limitations While Adding Depth
The Falcons face a tight salary cap situation, ranking near the bottom of the NFL in available spending space, yet they still have about $5 million to use, according to Spotrac. Knox indicated that Douglas could be a “fine budget option” in this context, making him an appealing target before the season begins.
NFL Daily host Gregg Rosenthal ranked Douglas as the 80th best free agent in March, highlighting concerns about his declining speed as a potential risk for teams. Still, given the Falcons’ vulnerabilities in the secondary, even modest help would be valuable.
Defense Struggles Highlight Urgent Need for Improvements
The Falcons’ defense encountered significant issues in 2024, finishing alongside the Carolina Panthers as the only teams to record fewer sacks (31) than passing touchdowns allowed (34). This imbalance points to fundamental problems not only with the pass rush but also within the secondary itself.
Atlanta ranked last in the league for the highest completion percentage allowed (69.9%) and was fourth-worst in passer rating against at 100.2. While the pass rush was an obvious weak spot, the secondary’s performance compounded the team’s defensive struggles.
Roster Dilemmas and the Value of Experience
In a recent analysis of the Falcons’ projected 53-man roster, team senior reporter Tori McElhaney noted that the hardest decisions would occur at cornerback. Any addition of Douglas would require a corresponding roster move, underscoring the challenge the Falcons face in balancing talent and available spots.
Currently, A.J. Terrell appears to be the only cornerback with a firmly established starting position. Adding Rasul Douglas could provide important veteran leadership, much-needed depth, and bolster the faltering secondary group. The coming days will be critical as Atlanta evaluates its options before finalizing the roster for the regular season.