BREAKING: Falcons Cut CB Casey Hayward; Draft Plans Changing?

The Atlanta Falcons have released veteran cornerback Casey Hayward - here's how it impacts salary cap and 2023 NFL Draft plans.

The Atlanta Falcons' cornerback room seemed crowded entering the 2023 NFL Draft - but just had a spot become open.

The Falcons announced Friday that veteran cornerback Casey Hayward has been released after one season. Per OverTheCap, the move frees up $5 million in cap space while incurring $2 million in dead money.

Hayward signed a two-year contract with Atlanta last offseason, marking a homecoming for the Perry, Ga., native, and expressed "joy" for the opportunity - but saw his year come to an early close after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 6.

A two-time All-Pro, Hayward had missed just two games in the previous eight years, only adding to the disappointment. He finished his lone season in Atlanta with 17 tackles, three passes defended and one interception while allowing 225 passing yards and a completion percentage of 61.3 percent.

The departure of Hayward, 33, comes after the Falcons added cornerbacks Mike Hughes (free agency) and Jeff Okudah (trade via the Detroit Lions) this offseason; it was simply a numbers game, and Atlanta opted for youth across from All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell.

On a similar note, releasing Hayward opens the door for the Falcons to add a corner at No. 8 overall in next week's draft, be it Oregon's Christian Gonzalez or Illinois' Devon Witherspoon.

Nonetheless, it's an unceremonious end to Hayward's time back home - and certainly not the outcome either side anticipated last offseason.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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