Free Agency Grades: Falcons Praised for Signing Saints Ex David Onyemata?

The Atlanta Falcons poached a rival defensive lineman, signing former New Orleans Saints veteran David Onyemata. What grade do the Dirty Birds get for the transaction?

The Atlanta Falcons kept themselves busy during the NFL's first legal tampering day, making a trade and landing deals with three other outside additions. 

One of the first free agent deals for the Falcons was agreeing to a three-year $35 million contract with ex-New Orleans Saints defensive lineman David Onyemata, giving Atlanta much-needed help up front next to Grady Jarrett. But how did the deal grade out? 

Pro Football Focus graded out the fit/need as an "A" letter grade, which shouldn't be surprising as the Falcons hired ex-Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their replacement for Dean Pees. But the Falcons also need help in the pass-rushing department after finishing second-to-last in the NFL in sacks. 

"Over the past three seasons, Onyemata's 11.4% pressure percentage ranks 11th among interior defenders, and he earned back-to-back pass-rush grades above 75.0 in 2020 and 2021," PFF writes.

Familiarity with Nielsen is a plus, but PFF's grade for value seems to hint at the belief the Falcons may have overpaid. 

PFF gave the Falcons a B- letter grade for the value at which they acquired Onyemata, due to their projected contract having the veteran defensive tackle valued at around $8.5 million a year, on a two-year $17 million contract, with just $11 million guaranteed. Meaning the Falcons "overpaid" by around $3 million.

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