After re-signing four players, head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff's free agency plan of locking up their own guys is well underway.
Having said that, the Falcons could still make a splash in free agency. Former Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe is scheduled to visit the Falcons in the next 24 hours.
"We are in the middle of having some conversations with his representation and if we can work it [out] to have him come here – I know he has a couple of other visits set up – we are interested in continuing to talk to him," Dimitroff said on 92.9 The Game on Monday morning.
Poe, No. 11 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, has proven to be a key piece of Kansas City's defense for the past couple of seasons. The 346-pound nose tackle is not only an asset against the run, but also versatile enough to rush the passer, recording 13 sacks in five seasons.
The visit process is an important one to Quinn and Dimitroff as they have implemented a thorough player evaluation process. Not only would they want to make sure Poe's expectations align with theirs, his fit with the coaching staff is also pivotal.
Dimitroff envisions Poe as a two-down player for the Falcons and someone who, because of his size and versatility, can bring pocket pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
"He's obviously had some very good seasons in the past and we believe he still has the ability to contribute to a team like us to not only align on first and second down, but to push the pocket, that's an important thing," Dimitroff said.
Quinn and Dimitroff have been open in saying they want to continue to fortify the line of scrimmage play and have done so with the acquisition of defensive lineman Jack Crawford.
And with the release of defensive lineman Tyson Jackson last week and Jonathan Babineaux's future in Atlanta uncertain, the Falcons could benefit from Poe's services.
