The Atlanta Falcons' path to claiming the NFC South crown this season hinges significantly on their ability to secure a veteran cornerback through free agency, particularly targeting Asante Samuel Jr. Recent reports indicate a crucial development: cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. visited the New Orleans Saints on Monday, fueling speculation about his potential destination. Analyst Mason Cameron from Pro Football Focus has strongly advocated for the Falcons to aggressively pursue Samuel in the free agent market. The situation is further complicated by Samuel's injury, which is now understood to be more serious than initially reported. Samuel, considered one of the top free agent corners of this year's class, is currently unable to sign with any team until July, stemming from neck surgery undergone in April. Fowler’s reporting confirms this, stating Samuel will undergo a check-up in early July following his surgery, after which he will reconvene with multiple teams expressing interest.
Initial reports described Samuel’s injury as a shoulder ailment, but a subsequent interview with ESPN’s Kris Rhim revealed a more concerning picture – a "stinger/shoulder injury" sustained in practice during the first month of the 2024 season. This injury, reportedly a long-standing condition since Samuel’s birth, significantly impacted his performance; he didn't play after Week 4. The severity of this neck issue is now paramount, explaining why Samuel remains unsigned, as a standard shoulder injury wouldn’t typically delay a team’s pursuit. While the Falcons have bolstered their roster with upgrades at edge rusher and safety through the NFL Draft, a critical need at outside cornerback remains unfilled. Currently, the Falcons are slated to begin the season with the same two cornerbacks who secured the No. 22 ranking in pass defense last season.
Unless undrafted cornerback Dontae Manning emerges as a promising rookie contributor, the Falcons’ strategy will likely remain centered on Samuel’s recovery. The Falcons recently signed Kansas’ Cobee Bryant and Dontae Manning following the 2025 NFL Draft. Bryant is expected to compete primarily at the slot cornerback position, similar to Atlanta’s fourth-round draft pick, Billy Bowman Jr. Samuel’s on-field performance during the 2024 season was marked by 13 combined tackles and two pass defenses across four games. His 2023 campaign showcased significantly improved statistics, with 63 combined tackles, 13 pass defenses, and two interceptions in 17 contests.
The Falcons’ decision regarding Samuel will heavily depend on the results of his July evaluations and the team’s assessment of the risk versus reward associated with adding a potentially impactful cornerback to a roster already needing reinforcement at that position. The team’s willingness to take a calculated gamble on Samuel’s recovery is a key factor in determining their approach to the cornerback market and their overall championship aspirations within the competitive NFC South.
