NFL free agency is almost set to begin, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can then become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Atlanta Falcons and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Leonard Floyd, DE
The former 49ers standout will sign a one-year deal.
What it means: The Falcons have acquired a much-needed pass rusher, a problem spot for the franchise going back almost a decade. Floyd has at least 8.5 sacks in each of the past five seasons. Atlanta has not had a player with that many sacks in a single season since 2017, the last time the team made the playoffs. Floyd is a great fit for the price ($10 million) and also brings familiarity -- Falcons coach Raheem Morris was his defensive coordinator for two seasons with the Rams, and Floyd is a Georgia native.
What's the risk: He'll be 33 years old this season and is coming off his least productive season since 2019. But the Falcons have him locked in for only one year and at a low price for a good pass rusher given the current market conditions. At the very least, he'll be around one season as a stopgap until the Falcons' young core linemen and pass rushers -- Zach Harrison, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Bralen Trice and whoever the team drafts next month -- are ready.
Divine Deablo, LB
The former Raider will sign a two-year deal.
What it means: The Falcons are low on salary cap space and were always going to be looking for affordable options with upside on defense. That's Deablo, who gets $14 million over two years. Adding speed to a defense that was aging in 2024 was a priority. Deablo, a 6-foot-3, 223-pound middle linebacker, ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash coming out of college. He's still just 26 years old. Deablo will likely be a help at off-ball linebacker for Kaden Elliss, who is a stalwart in the middle of the field. Atlanta will likely lose Nate Landman at the position and Troy Andersen has had injury woes.
What's the risk: Not much. Given the kind of salaries being doled out the last few days, Deablo is a potential bargain for someone who had 106 total tackles in 2023. His position just isn't necessarily the Falcons' biggest need this offseason. Atlanta has holes at edge rusher, cornerback and now potentially at defensive tackle with the release of two-time Pro Bowler and defensive leader Grady Jarrett. Starting center Drew Dalman also departed, so the Falcons will be shopping for either a starter or backup there, as well.
Mike Hughes, CB
The Falcons are bringing him back on a three-year deal.
What it means: The Falcons were looking thin in the secondary after No. 1 cornerback A.J. Terrell with Hughes and fellow CB Dee Alford as free agents. That necessitated Atlanta bringing back Hughes on a three-year contract worth $6 million annually that fits nicely into the team's limited budget. Hughes has started 19 games for the Falcons over the past two seasons, the most recent as the No. 2 corner opposite Terrell. Hughes will likely start again in 2025, on the outside or in the slot, with Clark Phillips III, going into his third year, getting an expanded role.
What's the risk: Given the price tag, there isn't much. Hughes was an above-average player as the No. 2 corner, though not a lockdown type of guy teams would love to have opposite their No. 1. Terrell was able to blanket most top receivers in 2024, but overall the Falcons secondary had its issues, allowing the highest opposing quarterback completion percentage (69.9%) in the league. Hughes missed two games due to injury, both losses. Atlanta is likely to still be in the market for a cornerback, potentially in the draft.