Without a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons will have to rely more on free agency to improve their roster this season. General manager Ian Cunningham is inheriting a talented group, but the team still needs to upgrade a few positions and add depth at some other areas.
The Falcons also may be without edge rusher James Pearce Jr. for the foreseeable future, which means there’s another hole to fill along the defensive front seven. While the team currently has around $26 million in cap space, Cunningham could free up over $50 million through restructures.
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With that in mind, here’s a look at five possible free-agent targets for the Falcons defense in 2026.
1). DL Sebastian Joseph-Day
2025 Stats: 41 tackles (22 solo), 2 sacks, 6 TFL
The Falcons don’t have a huge need at the defensive tackle position, but they may be forced to replace David Onyemata in free agency. Joseph-Day is a quality rotational player who is capable of starting if necessary. The veteran defensive lineman is a decent pass-rusher and solid run defender. Joseph-Day would be an affordable option who could give the team more depth behind breakout defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus in 2026.
2). EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
2025 Stats: 41 tackles (24 solo), 8.5 sacks, 12 TFL
Clowney’s career got off to a slow start but he’s aged like a fine wine. The 33-year-old posted 8.5 sacks and 40 total pressures for the Dallas Cowboys last season. At this stage of his career, Clowney will continue to seek one-year contracts as some sort of pass-rushing mercenary. The former No. 1 overall pick is an ideal fit for the Falcons as a short-term edge replacement for James Pearce Jr. PFF is projecting Clowney to sign a one-year, $10 million contract.
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3). EDGE Dre’Mont Jones
2025 Stats: 43 tackles (19 solo), 7 sacks, 24 QB hits
Jones is another player who could step in as a replacement for James Pearce Jr. next season. The 29-year-old was traded from the Titans to the Ravens at midseason and continued to produce in Baltimore. Jones recorded seven sacks and 51 total pressures last season. While he’s not an elite run defender, Jones rarely misses tackles and has stayed healthy for much of his career. In terms of bridge candidates, the Falcons could do a lot worse than Jones.
4). CB Rock Ya-Sin
2025 Stats: 47 tackles (27 solo), 9 PD
Ya-Sin is the kind of affordable, under-the-radar signing that this Falcons team needs. Atlanta has two capable starting cornerbacks in A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes, but Dee Alford is a free agent and Billy Bowman Jr. is recovering from an Achilles injury. Ya-Sin, a former second-round pick, is a scrappy player who has improved quite a bit in coverage. The veteran cornerback earned a 67.1 coverage grade for the Detroit Lions last season and broke up nine passes.
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5). CB Rasul Douglas
2025 Stats: 62 tackles (37 solo), 2 INT, 13 PD, 1 FF
Douglas is a slightly more expensive option at cornerback. The 30-year-old earned a PFF coverage grade of 73.6 last season, while coming down with two interceptions and 13 passes defended. The Falcons have Mike Hughes but Douglas would be a slight upgrade with more play-making ability. Atlanta’s secondary got off to a solid start last season before injuries piled up. Despite finishing strong, the team should still look to add more depth at defensive back.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: NFL free agent targets on defense in 2026