Earl Thomas rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

3. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have gotten a head start on clearing salary, cutting cornerback Robert Alford, kicker Matt Bryant and defensive end Brooks Reed right after the Super Bowl. They’re still not flush with cap space though, sitting at a shade over $28.6 million now, and general manager Thomas Dimitroff has already suggested they won’t be big spenders in free agency. That said, if defensive end Vic Beasley is cut or traded, his entire $12.8 million cap hit would be cleared off the books.

Thomas also has a tie to the Falcons. Head coach Dan Quinn was Seahawks’ defensive coordinator during two of Thomas’ best seasons (2013 and 2014), when Thomas earned the most recent two of his three First Team All-Pro nods.

Both of Atlanta’s starting safeties, Keanu Neal (torn ACL) and Ricardo Allen (torn Achilles) were out by the end of Week 3 last season. Both should be ready for Week 1 next season, though Allen feels like a bit more of a question mark and it’s worth wondering if he’ll be approached about a restructuring of the contract extension he signed last offseason. It’s hard to see Allen being cut, but if Thomas is a realistic option to come aboard it might be on the table if he won’t re-do his deal.

Quinn and Dimitroff will have their jobs on the line heading into next season, so some calculated moves to win now have to be on the table. Making an offer to Thomas can’t be ruled out along that line, and the room to do so is on its way to being created without preventing other signings.