Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The new league year is right around the corner, literally and figuratively.
With the legal tampering window opening up Monday, March 10, and the 2025 league year beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12, news will be swirling in the coming weeks as free agents find new homes, or return to old ones. Could the free agency period usher in a new option at safety for the Falcons?
The Falcons have Jessie Bates III locked in until 2027, but what happens around him is very much up in the air. Pairing Bates with Justin Simmons last season seemed at the time of Simmons' signing like the makings of the best safety duo in the league. Despite a relatively quiet year for Simmons, one could argue they were very effective together.
However, Simmons is a free agent once more. Richie Grant, a former second-round pick for the Falcons, is also set to hit the open market for the first time since entering the league. With DeMarcco Hellams missing all of his second season due to an ankle injury last year, the Falcons have holes to fill. Here are five options Atlanta could consider in free agency.
Jordan Fuller
Age: 27
2024 team: Carolina Panthers
2024 stats: Nine games | Nine starts | 54 tackles | One forced fumble
The interest: Fuller is a gamble at this point, that much is known. Fuller entered the league five years ago with solid potential, but lingering injuries (shoulder, ankle and hamstring) have kept him from reaching said potential. The most recent injury was a hamstring issue that has sidelined Fuller at different points in the last couple of seasons, including missing six of the Panthers' first nine games of the season in 2024. As Fuller has struggled to stay healthy, his stat lines have suffered. He signed a one-year deal with the Panthers worth just north of $3 million, so he could be a viable, cheaper option on a prove-it deal a little further south. Fuller also has a connection with head coach Raheem Morris, who was his defensive coordinator in Los Angeles when Fuller was the Rams' starting free safety.
Jeremy Chinn
Age: 27
2024 team: Washington Commanders
2024 stats: 17 games | 17 starts | 117 total tackles | Two sacks | Five PBUs | One interception | One forced fumble | Two fumble recoveries
The interest: It's always funny how much can change in a year, and Chinn's value from 2024 to 2025 is a great example. When he entered free agency last offseason for the first time since being drafted by the Panthers in 2020, Chinn's value wasn't significantly high. He was working through a quad injury in 2023 and only saw action in 12 games, starting eight. He was also playing a more hybrid nickel/safety/linebacker role in Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base defense. He signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders valued at $3.49 million guaranteed with a $2.37 million signing bonus. It was reported Chinn had a higher offer from the Steelers, but he chose the Commanders specifically to play for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. What transpired was a career year for Chinn, who was essential to Washington's postseason run. Because of his relationships with Quinn and Whitt, as well as the Commanders' success, it seems likely that both sides would want to strike another deal. If they don't, Chinn would be a very interesting piece to scheme for with Atlanta's defensive roster as it currently stands.
Justin Simmons
Age: 31
2024 team: Atlanta Falcons
2024 stats: 16 games | 16 starts | Two interceptions | Seven passes deflected | 62 total tackles
The interest: There's always the option of bringing Simmons back for a second year in Atlanta. His limited production, in terms of splash plays in 2024, may keep his value at a workable level and allow the Falcons to keep the Bates-Simmons duo together for another year. Simmons is still a Pro-Bowl-caliber safety who will draw interest. He's also someone well liked and very respected in the locker room. His knowledge and experience goes a long way. If you're wanting stability, that is what Simmons could provide. His return would also mean this secondary wouldn't miss a beat, and – they'd hope — pick up right where they left off.
Ashtyn Davis
Age: 28
2024 team: New York Jets
2024 stats: 15 games | One start | Two interceptions | 35 total tackles | Two passes deflected
The interest: To this point in his career, Davis has been seen as more of a rotational guy with special teams upside. But his connection to the Falcons can be seen through new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who has been working with Davis for four seasons. That goes a long way, especially considering the Jets saw fit to bring Davis back on a one-year deal last season. Davis was never chosen as an outright starter by Ulbrich at the beginning of any of the seasons the two worked together. However, depending on what the Falcons ultimately need, perhaps a full-blown starter isn't one of them. Perhaps its a reliable backup, which Davis has proven he is well equipped to be.
Chuck Clark
Age: 29
2024 team: New York Jets
2024 stats: 12 games | 12 starts | 69 total tackles | One sack | One forced fumble | Two passes deflected
The interest: Yes, here's another option with an Ulbrich/Jets connection for you. Clark is the player Davis actually took over for in 2024 when Clark suffered a season-ending pectoral injury. Despite Davis' career-day in his first start in Clark's place (a two-interception day, one would clarify), it should be noted it was Clark who outright won the starting job for the Jets from the beginning of 2024. He was reliable for the Jets, despite the coaching turnover happening at the top. The issue with Clark, however, is that the injuries he's sustained in the last two seasons have been significant. He missed all of 2023 with a torn ACL, and his recovery from the pectoral injury this past January will be heavily monitored by interested teams. Still, a healthy Clark is worth a look.
