FLOWERY BRANCH — Outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter, who was set to become a free agent March 15, signed a two-year contract to remain with the Falcons on Tuesday.
The team later announced the deal but did not disclose the terms.
Carter signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Falcons last season, after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Giants out of the University of Georgia and Norcross High.
He started every game for the Falcons and finished with 58 tackles (25 solo), four sacks, 12 quarterback hits, an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery last season.
It was the first signing of the offseason for the Falcons, who had $66.4 million in salary-cap space before the Carter signing and have 22 players still headed for free agency.
“We’re working hard with some of those players, and some of them we’re gonna be able to bring back in here and get extensions done,” Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Feb. 28 at the scouring combine in Indianapolis. “Some will happen soon. Some will take a little bit of time. Some we won’t be able to bring back.”
Here’s a look at the Falcons’ potential unrestricted free agents:
Kaleb McGary: He was not signed to his $13.6 million fifth-year option last offseason, and he responded with his best NFL season. He helped to power the league’s third-best rushing attack but continued to struggle against elite pass rushers.
The Falcons let the 4 p.m. Tuesday deadline pass and did not franchise tag McGary, which would have paid him $18.2 million. However, with the eighth overall pick in the draft, they could elect to replace him in the draft with Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr., Georgia’s Broderick Jones or Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski.
He had a grade of 86.6 by Pro Football Focus, but he gave up six sacks. He had failing grades of 54, 64.3 and 62.8 in his previous three seasons. He also gave up 13 sacks as a rookie, four in 2020 and nine in 2021.
Rashaan Evans: The former first-round pick of the Titans was a perfect replacement for Foye Oluokun. Evans wants to return, and the Falcons want him. So, it will just be a matter of working out the contract.
Olamide Zaccheaus: The dependable player was the second-leading receiver with 40 catches for 533 yards and three touchdowns.
Bradley Pinion: We’ll see if the Falcons want to invest in the special teams or try to get another punter on the cheap. Pinion had a 73.8% touchback rate on 80 kickoffs. He grossed 45.9 yards (41.2 net yards) on 62 punts.
Keith Smith: He was named to the Pro Bowl as a second alternate at fullback. Played a key role in the run game and on special teams. He wants to return, and the team wants to sign him. They just have to work out the contract.
Isaiah Oliver: If he gets to free agency, look for him to reunite with Dan Quinn (Cowboys defensive coordinator) or Raheem Morris (Rams defensive coordinator).
Erik Harris: Great locker-room guy.
Damiere Byrd: Provided a deep threat early in the season.
Germain Ifedi: He was beaten out by McGary and was the backup swing tackle.
Mike Ford: He was a key special-teams player with 361 snaps. He had seven special-teams tackles and the key block on Cordarrelle Patterson’s record-breaking TD kickoff return.
Anthony Firkser: He played in 11 games and made one start as a quality reserve.
Elijah Wilkinson: He won the starting job, but injuries got in the way. He started only nine games.
Vincent Taylor: He spent the season on injured reserve. Was expected to be the starter at nose tackle.
Beau Brinkley: With Liam McCullough re-signed, it wouldn’t make sense to have two long snappers on the 90-man roster.
KhaDarel Hodge: He played 259 special-teams snaps and was a dependable reserve at wide receiver. He led the team with nine special-teams tackles.
Nick Kwiatkoski: A quality reserve who played in nine games.
MyCole Pruitt: He came on strong and caught four touchdown passes after tight end Kyle Pitts went down. Quarterback Desmond Ridder was on the same page with Pruitt.
Jaleel Johnson: The defensive lineman provided some depth along the line.
Colby Gossett: Made a start but ended the season as the fifth guard.
Matt Dickerson: He provided some late-season depth along the defensive line.
Chuma Edoga: He made one start at guard.
Rashad Fenton: The Falcons traded a conditional seventh-round pick to the Chiefs for Fenton. He played in two games and made one start.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC
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