{"id":760144,"date":"2026-02-18T10:55:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T10:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/760144\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T10:55:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T10:55:23","slug":"falcons-best-fit-for-free-agent-john-franklin-myers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/760144\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons ‘best fit’ for free agent John Franklin-Myers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feb. 17, 2026, 12:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons<\/a> hired general manager Ian Cunningham to finally get the team over the hump following an eight-year playoff drought. The first order of business for Cunningham is free agency, which officially starts on March 11.<\/p>\n

The Falcons have a few notable free agents, including tight end Kyle Pitts, linebacker Kaden Ellis and kicker Zane Gonzalez. In terms of salary cap space, the team currently has around $26 million, according to Over The Cap’s latest projections<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While we don’t anticipate Atlanta spending big in free agency, we wouldn’t rule it out, either. The team could free up another $50 million in cap space through restructures, if Cunningham opts to go that route. So, which free agents could the team target this offseason?<\/p>\n

ESPN’s Matt Bowen released a new feature naming the “best team fit<\/a>” for the top 50 NFL free agents in 2026. The Falcons were named the best fit for ESPN’s No. 11 free agent: Broncos<\/a> defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.<\/p>\n

“Under coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Franklin-Myers could be used as a versatile defender, playing as a nose or 5-technique in the base fronts while providing an interior rush out of sub-package personnel,” wrote ESPN’s Matt Bowen<\/a>. “He had 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures with the Broncos last season.”<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Atlanta could certainly use another quality interior defender, especially if veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata signs elsewhere in free agency. Franklin-Myers has recorded 34 sacks and 94 QB hits since entering the league in 2018.<\/p>\n

The Falcons were actually mentioned twice in ESPN’s free agency feature. Tight end Kyle Pitts was ranked as the 23rd overall free agent. Bowen thinks staying in Atlanta would be the best option for Pitts, highlighting the tight end’s potential fit in Kevin Stefanski’s offense.<\/p>\n

“Pitts will have options in free agency after he set career highs for receptions (88) and touchdowns (five) in 2025, but I still see a strong fit if he stays put in Atlanta under new coach Kevin Stefanski,” wrote Bowen<\/a>. “With heavily defined concepts, Stefanski can set up Pitts to attack open coverage voids off play-action and also create isolation matchups.”<\/p>\n

At just 25 years old, Pitts’ best days are probably still ahead of him. If the team can bring him back without breaking the bank, it would be wise to keep the former No. 4 overall pick in Atlanta.<\/p>\n

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