Dontari Poe rumors: Agrees with Atlanta Falcons
By John Buhler
Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe has reportedly found a new home with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 NFL free agency.
The Atlanta Falcons had been strangely quite during the early part of 2017 NFL free agency. They saw players like fullback Patrick DiMarco, inside linebacker Paul Worrilow and wide receiver Aldrick Robinson all sign elsewhere this spring. The only player of note Atlanta brought into Flowery Branch the first weeks was former Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Jack Crawford.
It seems that Atlanta’s biggest bang in free agency came a week later. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the “Falcons have agreed to terms with Dontari Poe.” He had spent his entire NFL career on the defensive interior for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Falcons have agreed to terms with Dontari Poe, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2017
So after visiting Colts, Jaguars, Dolphins, former Chiefs DT Dontari Poe winds up with the Atlanta Falcons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2017
Falcons gave former Chiefs' DT Dontari Poe a one-year, $8 million deal that could increase to $10M with incentives, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2017
Schefter reported that Poe had considered signing with the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins before signing with Atlanta. He only garnered a one-year deal with $8 million for 2017. It is an incentive-laden contract, but the Chiefs replaced Poe in Kansas City with former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan for the same $8 million.
After not getting hit with the franchise tag, it seemed increasingly likely that Poe would end up signing a one-year deal to prove he’s worth a multi-year contract in 2018. Atlanta had a serious void on the defensive line, as Jonathan Babineaux and Tyson Jackson were not going to be back with the Falcons.
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Poe is immensely talented, but does he have the willingness to motor up front for Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. Atlanta emphasizes speed and constantly being on the attack defensively. This could be the best landing spot for Poe in 2017. This is a good, short-term deal for both Atlanta and Poe.