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Falcons could upgrade secondary by adding six-time Pro Bowl CB
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- Falcons could upgrade secondary by adding six-time Pro Bowl CB
With two starters set to enter free agency, the Atlanta Falcons need to find some help in the secondary this offseason. Cornerback Mike Hughes and safety Justin Simmons may not return next season and there are no clear replacements on the roster.
While the team may eventually look to Clark Phillips III to replace Hughes and DeMarcco Hellams to replace Simmons, adding a veteran free agent or two would make the transition easier for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich . One potential option for Atlanta in 2025 is to sign six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay .
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The Philadelphia Eagles have released Slay with a post-June 1 designation. The Super Bowl champions are looking to shed some salary cap space and Slay makes sense as a cap casualty due to the team's young stable of defensive backs. According to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Slay hopes to play one more season in the NFL.
Slay, 34, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. After seven productive seasons in Detroit, Slay was shipped off to Philadelphia in 2020. The veteran defensive back has excelled playing on the outside and was considered one of the NFL's shutdown cornerbacks for a few years.
During his five seasons with the Eagles, Slay recorded nine interceptions, 56 passes defended and went to three Pro Bowls (2021-2023). The former Eagles cornerback's physical skills may be on the decline but he's a savvy veteran who has enough size to press opposing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.
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The Falcons need a quality No. 2 cornerback to pair with A.J. Terrell and Slay would be a perfect one-year stop gap. If the team loses Hughes, as many expect, Atlanta needs to take a hard look at Slay in free agency .
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons should target former Eagles Pro Bowl CB in free agency
