Thursday was the sigh of relief day. The Falcons really did get Jessie Bates III, David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, and Taylor Heinicke. All of those moves were confirmed by the team, meaning one of the most successful-seeming starts to free agency in recent memory proceeds apace.
It’s worth taking a step back and considering what the Falcons have hauled in from free agency, trades, and re-signings now. They locked up their elite right guard, got their right tackle back on a very team-friendly contract, and brought back their punter and fullback as well. Then they snagged an experienced, proven interior pass rusher in Onyemata, the cycle’s best free agent safety in Bates, an intriguing linebacker fresh off a breakout season in Elliss, and a fine backup quarterback with starting experience in Heinicke.