NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, which means free agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Atlanta Falcons and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Kirk Cousins, QB
The former Vikings quarterback agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Falcons, according to his agent, Mike McCartney.
What it means: After languishing with quarterback questions for the last two seasons, Atlanta added a proven option in Cousins -- the best quarterback available on the market. He gives Atlanta instant credibility and the veteran the team needed to maximize a group of offensive skill position players including receiver Drake London, running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and tight end Kyle Pitts. One of the best play-action quarterbacks in the NFL, he'll give new coach Raheem Morris and first-time coordinator Zac Robinson an experienced mind to work with as they try to win in Atlanta for the first time in a half-decade.
What's the risk: A couple of factors. First, Cousins is coming off a torn right Achilles which was surgically repaired in November. So his readiness for the start of offseason workouts -- and training camp -- remains at least a bit in question. Cousins did post workout videos last month showing him dropping back which offers some level of progress. The other question is his age -- a four-year deal for a quarterback who will be 36-years-old when the season begins at least raises some flags. But Atlanta needed to solve its quarterback issue and Cousins was the best option.
Darnell Mooney, WR
Mooney agreed to a three-year, $39 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, Mooney's agents David Mulugheta and AJ Stevens told ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.
What it means: Atlanta needed a starting-caliber receiver to line up opposite Drake London, and in Mooney it got a talented player with a 1,000-yard season in his past (81 catches, 1,055 yards in 2021). He has versatility, too, with 757 routes run from the slot and 928 run from outside, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Figure Atlanta isn't done adding to the receiver room, but there's familiarity here, too. Former Bears GM Ryan Pace, who drafted Mooney in 2020, is a front office executive in Atlanta.
What's the risk: Expecting Mooney to be a star. This shouldn't be too much of an issue considering Atlanta has London, tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson, but Mooney hasn't had a season over 500 yards receiving since 2021. Atlanta is paying him like a No. 2 receiver, so there is some pressure for him to produce more than he did in 2022 (40 catches, 493 yards) or last season (31 catches, 414 yards). Drops shouldn't be a concern, either. He has had only one year with more than one credited dropped pass, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Charlie Woerner, TE
Woerner has agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal, according to his agent Alex Essex.
What it means: Atlanta needed to add to the tight end room after releasing veteran Jonnu Smith last week and Charlie Woerner is the type of blocking and secondary tight end Atlanta wanted. Woerner doesn't have big pass catching stats -- 11 catches for 120 yards over four seasons -- but was a highly effective blocker with an 86.7% pass block win rate and a 77.5% run block win rate when he was in the game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He's also a high-level special teams player.
What's the risk: Depending on the structure of the money involved, it's a lot for a player without a proven pass-catching background. However, Atlanta has Kyle Pitts on the roster so Woener won't necessarily be needed for that. The risk will be if Woerner is expected to have a high-level role in the passing game, otherwise his blocking is sound and he offers quality special teams work and considering the connections the Falcons' staff has in the NFC West, they know what they are getting in Woerner, a Georgia alum.
Nate Landman, LB
The Falcons signed Landman to a one-year, $985,000 contract.
What it means: Landman was an exclusive rights free agent, so a no-brainer to bring back for Atlanta at a cheap cost, particularly after a breakout 2023 when he played in 16 games with 14 starts and had 110 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception. Most of his work came after Troy Andersen suffered a season-ending pec injury. Atlanta now has three starting quality inside linebackers with Landman, Andersen and Kaden Elliss.
What's the risk: No risk here considering the cost and lack of guarantee.
Ryan Neuzil, C
What it means: Neuzil developed over the past three seasons from an undrafted free agent to a valuable backup center who started four games last season. Neuzil can provide depth at guard and center at a good cost. Offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, who was retained by new coach Raheem Morris in the transition from Arthur Smith, was key in his growth.
What's the risk: No risk for the Falcons or for Neuzil here. It's a low-cost deal for a player who has shown he can compete on the NFL level.
Ray-Ray McCloud III, WR
McCloud is signing a two-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to a source.
What it means: McCloud is a speedy receiver who has return capability, part of a faster room alongside Drake London, KhaDarel Hodge, Rondale Moore and Darnell Mooney. McCloud has 90 catches for 768 yards and a touchdown in his career, but he's a dynamic returner, averaging 9.6 yards a punt return and 22.6 yards a kick return in his career. He'll be competition for Avery Williams.
What's the risk: It's a reasonable deal for a special teams playmaker, so not much of one unless there's a massive guarantee as part of the $6 million. If he were to lose both returner jobs and not gain a foothold in the receiver room, that would be a concern. Otherwise a good, competitive move.
Kentavius Street, DT
The Falcons announced Street signed a one-year deal.
What it means: Atlanta traded for Street last year and he played in five games -- recovering a fumble and recording one sack in five starts. Street is a good rotational defensive lineman with good speed for his size and position -- 4.87-second 40-yard dash -- who can give Atlanta a solid backup to Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. This is the type of depth signing the Falcons need to make.
What's the risk: Not much unless Atlanta paid massively for him, which on a one-year deal would seem unlikely. He's familiar to the rest of the Falcons' defensive line and has played for four teams -- San Francisco, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Atlanta -- so he's been around. He's typically been in more of a 4-3 base scheme in the past, but a 3-4 base, which coordinator Jimmy Lake said he's going to run, should still suit him well. Plus he has good explosiveness as an interior rusher in sub-packages to help out there, too.
KhaDarel Hodge, WR
The terms of Hodge's deal were not immediately available.
What it means: Hodge was one of Atlanta's better special teams players and blocking wide receivers over the past two seasons, a valuable contributor for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams. With a receiver room under construction, Hodge brings value as depth after 14 catches for 232 yards last season. He's had the best two seasons of his career with the Falcons.
What's the risk: None, really, unless Atlanta paid him an unexpectedly large sum. Hodge has signed for the veteran minimum or close to it the past two seasons, so if there's a slight pay bump that's earned -- but otherwise he's valuable on special teams and is good in the run game.
Storm Norton, OT
The terms of Norton's deal were not immediately available.
What it means: Norton was signed at the end of September and ended up starting three games in Atlanta last season when right tackle Kaleb McGary was injured. Norton was a good swing tackle who was capable when he was forced into a starting role.
What's the risk: Not much risk. Atlanta returns both of its starting tackles -- McGary and Jake Matthews -- so there's not really any concern there. Even if he's thrust into a starting position, he's shown he is good enough to spot start at least. So a smart re-sign by Atlanta.