The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant in NFL free agency on Tuesday.
The Atlanta Falcons are in the market for linebackers, and according ESPN’s Adam Schefter they’re planning to sign Texans LB Brooks Reed and Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant. The deal for Reed is five years and $22 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. No word on the deal with Durant as of this writing.
More from Atlanta Falcons
- Kyle Pitts: It’s a new aura when it comes to the Atlanta Falcons defense
- Kyle Pitts sees Desmond Ridder, A.J. Terrell as tremendous leaders for the Falcons
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- Bijan Robinson hypes up Falcons’ defense with chip on their shoulder
- Bijan Robinson sees championships in Texas’ immediate future
Durant is 29 and has spent the last two seasons in Dallas. He played in six games last year before hitting IR with a torn biceps. In those six games he had 49 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception. Reed is 28 and played every game for the Texans last year. He had 41 tackles, three sacks and an interception during that time.
Falcons new head coach Dan Quinn is out of Seattle where linebacker play is paramount to what they do on defense. There’s no doubt that he’s working immediately at upgrading that position via free agency. Reed is listed as Pro Football Talk‘s number 68 free agent this year. He was a second round pick for Houston in 2011. Durant was a second round pick out of Hampton in 2007. He’s played for the Jaguars, Lions and Cowboys thus far in his career.
The Falcons are also likely losing linebacker Sean Weatherspoon to the Cardinals, so these signings would soften the blow. Both Reed and Durant have some respectable numbers and the Falcons are likely hoping they can put up similar in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, the Falcons defense can be happy they won’t have to face Saints tight end Jimmy Graham twice a year anymore, as he was just traded to the Seahawks in the most blockbuster trade of free agency so far.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle