For the second time today, the Falcons have decided to likely allow a restricted free agent
It’s the day of no tenderness, or at least tenders. The Atlanta Falcons will reportedly not tender a second restricted free agent, after FOX Sports insider Greg Auman told us earlier today that they would not do so with cornerback Dee Alford. This time, it’s linebacker Nate Landman.
Like Alford, Landman had a nice 2023 and then a pretty dismal 2024, much of it spent filling in for an injured Troy Andersen. A classic early down linebacker who has typically been an asset against the run—Pro Football Focus credits him with 16 run stops last year, the fourth-highest total on the team—Landman’s lack of impact as a pass rusher and struggles in coverage were much more pronounced this past season than they were in 2023. As I said with Alford, I think you can put some of that on a Jimmy Lake defense where many players regressed, but not all of it.
The Falcons are essentially indicating they agree with that sentiment by potentially letting Landman and Alford hit the open market. Landman could return on an affordable deal still, but the Falcons have been linked to inside linebackers in free agency and the draft and have Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, and JD Bertrand under contract already. Landman’s aforementioned struggles in coverage—he allowed 25 of the 27 passes he was targeted on for completions and gave up three touchdowns, per PFF—are unlikely to endear him to new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who had very useful cover linebackers in his time with the Jets.
Landman, also like Alford, won’t struggle to land a gig somewhere else if the Falcons don’t elect to bring him back on a smaller deal. The work against the run from Landman is consistently good enough and the special teams work is solid enough to make him a useful reserve for any number of teams across the league, and of course we’ll wish him well if he lands elsewhere. For now, we’ll wait for the opening of free agency and see if the Falcons do let him walk.
