Free Agency Priorities

Defensive End 

Going into the draft, their two big needs were wide receiver and defensive end. They got their receiver in Julio Jones and now will look to free agency to add an end. They are a prime destination for free agents so they’ll be high on the list’s of Ray Edwards and Charles Johnson. Of course if new CBA rules restrict those two, they’d be kind of screwed.  

Guard

Both of their starting guards are free agents. They either need to resign both or add some free agents because I don’t think there’s another starter on their roster. 

Offensive Tackle 

Right tackle Tyson Clabo is also a free agent so like with their two guards, they’ll either need to resign him or sign a free agent. 

Outside Linebacker

Stephen Nicholas is a free agent and I don’t like 3rd round pick Akeem Dent’s chances to replace him if Nicholas leaves.

 

Draft Needs 

Wide Receiver

Roddy White is an excellent receiver, but they need to get Matt Ryan some more options. He didn’t complete a pass longer than 46 yards all year and their lack of big play ability is what separates them from a team like Green Bay or Philadelphia. Titus Young will be considered in round 1, while Torrey Smith and Leonard Hankerson are options in round 2.

Drafted Julio Jones (#6) 

Defensive End

John Abraham had 13 sacks, but turns 33 in May. Aside from him, they only managed 18 sacks. Kroy Biermann does a lot of things well on 1^st and 2^nd down, but he’s not an elite pass rusher. They need to find a 3^rd down compliment for Biermann who can also develop into a successor for Abraham. With so few glaring needs, they can address this in the first 3 rounds.

Drafted Cliff Matthews (#230) 

Safety

William Moore never panned out as a 2009 2^nd round pick. They need a new strong safety. He was burnt a lot this year.

Offensive Tackle

Tyson Clabo is a free agent. If they can’t resign him, they need a new right tackle. They may opt to move Sam Baker to right and get a new left tackle. Even if Clabo returns, their depth at the position sucks.

Outside Linebacker

Stephen Nicholas is a marginal free agent. If an upgrades fall into their laps, they’ll probably take him.

Tight End

Tony Gonzalez is 35 in February and is in the last year of his deal, which means he definitely could retire after his contract is up. His production really was un-Tony Gonzalez like down the stretch, only surpassing 4 catches twice from week 10 on and only catching one pass in the playoff loss to Green Bay.

Guard

Both their starting guards are free agents. If they lose one, they may look at a pro-ready guy like Danny Watkins in the 2^nd, to keep their line intact.

Drafted Andrew Jackson (#210) 

Running Back

Michael Turner is a great running back. However, he turns 29 in February and they need a better compliment to him. Jason Snelling is a solid backup, but not a good compliment. They don’t have a single running back that can stretch the field just like they don’t have a wide receiver that can stretch the field.

Drafted Jacquizz Rodgers (#145)