Falcons 2025 free agency tracker: Offseason moves, signings

NFL free agency has begun, 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 began March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can now 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.

Morgan Fox, DT

The former Charger lineman signed a two-year deal.

What it means: Another experienced defender with pass-rushing chops for a team that badly needed to revamp its pass rush. Fox, 30, only started 19 games for the Chargers the last three seasons, but he has 15.5 sacks during that time playing mostly on the interior of the line. Had Fox been on the Falcons last season, he would have been third on the team in quarterback hits (16). The Falcons have long been one of the worst teams in the league in getting to the quarterback. Fox will likely be one of the players replacing the production of Grady Jarrett, now with the Chicago Bears.

What's the risk: Not much. Like all of the Falcons signings this offseason, it's not long term nor an exorbitant amount of money. The Atlanta front office is clearly looking for value in guys like Deablo and now Fox, who could have solid seasons under new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Fox will join Floyd in what will be a new-look pass rush.

Mike Ford Jr., CB

The former Browns player will sign a two-year deal.

What it means: Mostly, depth in the secondary and an asset on special teams. Like Deablo, Ford brings a lot of speed to a team that needed it. He's also a familiar face. Ford played for the Falcons in 2022 and started two games. He could certainly compete for a starting spot with Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips III or fill the nickel role with the departure of Dee Alford. But Ford has not been a regular player on a team's defense since he was a rookie in 2018. He is, however, someone who can help on special teams, especially if Atlanta loses Pro Bowl special teamer KhaDarel Hodge.

What's the risk: None. The Falcons are committing $4 million to him over two years. Ford has a chance to compete for roles on defense, but seems like someone who will make more of a difference on special teams. This feels like a depth pickup for Atlanta, which is building a new defense led by incoming defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.

KhaDarel Hodge, WR

The Falcons are keeping the WR on a two-year deal.

What it means: The Falcons bring back their ace special teams player, who was also a fifth wide receiver who worked himself up to a starting role in one game on offense. Hodge was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2024, and he's a force when it comes to making plays in coverage or blocking kicks. Good things always seem to happen when Hodge is on the field, including a walkoff touchdown catch from Kirk Cousins in Week 5 last season against the divisional rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

What's the risk: Very little. Hodge is the kind of utility player who any team would love to have. Special teams coordinator Marquice Williams has to be over the moon that he gets Hodge back plus cornerback Mike Ford, who was a good special teams player his first time around with the Falcons in 2022.

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.