Jacksonville Jaguars: Atlanta Falcons free agents to poach
By Luke Sims
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in search of quality, winning players to add to the team and the Atlanta Falcons 2017 free agents are great targets to do so.
With around $73 million in cap room to spend in 2017 free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars are able to go after almost any free agent target the team desires. What matters most at this point is setting priorities.
To that end, it is important to target players that come from successful cultures of winning. No team in the NFC did that better than the Atlanta Falcons, who represented the NFC in the Super Bowl and came incredibly close to taking the Lombardi Trophy home.
The Falcons have a talented roster that, like many Super Bowl teams, may be picked over by other teams in the offseason. Free agents that aren’t locked up before the start of the new league year on March ninth. March seventh is when other teams can start to negotiate with those players.
, pending Atlanta Falcons free agent fullback
With the probable return of the fullback position to the Jacksonville Jaguars, finding a quality player for the position becomes paramount. The Jags have worked without a fullback in recent years and need a player who excels at the position to come in and deliver.
For that reason, Patrick DiMarco is a clear standout. One of a handful of fullbacks hitting free agency in 2017, DiMarco has been a part of one of the most dominant rushing teams in the NFL in 2016. Davonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman led a rushing attack that ranked fifth in the NFL in both yards and in average yards per carry in 2016. DiMarco was a key part of that as a lead blocker.
For that reason, he has already made B&T’s list of free agent fullbacks to consider. Writes Michael Sheppard:
"DiMarco is an excellent blocker who does very little rushing or receiving. DiMarco has been to the Pro Bowl twice (2015 & 2016), and seems to be showing no signs of slowing down as he ramps up for his sixth season."
If DiMarco can clear the way in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense, he can do the same in a more traditional role as well. The Jags need someone to come in and immediately be a powerhouse at the position and DiMarco has already shown that he can do that. This would instantly solidify the position rather than waiting on a rookie to develop or gambling on a mediocre player.