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An IDP look at FA signings - NFC South (fantasysharks.com)
1 Month Drayton Florence DB CAR, Brian Banks LB ATL, D. J. Moore DB CAR, Osi Umenyiora DL ATL, John Abraham DL ATL Comment

The Atlanta Falcons wrested the NFC South Division title away from the New Orleans Saints last season as ‘Bounty Gate' left New Orleans rudderless without head coach Sean Payton. As free agency unfolds, the Falcons and Saints figure to battle for the division title again with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers playing chase the leaders.

Each team has made a few interesting additions on the defensive side of the ball that effect the 2013 Individual Defensive Players (IDP) fantasy landscape so let's get to breaking them down.

ATLANTA: The Falcons will look to replace one veteran pass-rushing specialist with another in 2013 as they have signed former New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora. He is slated as of now to be the replacement for John Abraham, who is currently testing the free agent waters himself.

At 31 years old, Umenyiora will be entering his 10th NFL season and is expected to help bolster the Falcons pass rush which finished 28th in total sacks with only 29 last season. He can be penciled in for at least 700 regular season snaps with the real chance to notch at least 10 sacks in 2013. In years that he has played 15 or more games, Umenyiora has averaged just less than double digit sacks (9.91) as well as posting nine in 2011 while playing in only nine games.

Umenyiora has also forced 32 fumbles in his career and his fantasy value is heavily weighted in favor of leagues that reward the big play. He's averaged 41 total tackles per season with a career-high 71 combined stops coming back in 2005-06. IDP owners don't draft Umenyiora for his tackle numbers, and he is a solid DL3 with definite DL2 upside. If he can stay healthy and the Falcons can bring in another pass rushing option to line up opposite (there is talk that Abraham may be re-signed), Umenyiora he is line for a bounce back campaign in 2013.

The only other new defensive signing that Atlanta has made has no fantasy impact but is worth noting for its ‘feel good' factor. After serving five years for a crime he did not commit, linebacker Brian Banks has been signed and will compete for a roster spot in 2013.

Should he make the 53-man roster it'll most likely be as a special teams player and depth at linebacker. Mad props to the man for staying with his dream after being wronged so unjustly and making it to the league at 27. Good luck sir!

CAROLINA: The Panthers have brought in three players to help their porous secondary that finished last season having allowed 22...

Osi Umenyiora DL ATL
2 Months Atlanta Falcons Comment

Falcons signed DE Osi Umenyiora, formerly of the Giants, to a two-year contract.

Finally. This has been in the works for almost a week now, and it was just a matter of time before it was made official. The Dolphins were rumored to be sniffing around Umenyiora a little bit, but it never materialized to anything. Umenyiora, 31, brings some much needed juice to Atlanta's pass rush, but he essentially just replaces John Abraham. GM Thomas Dimitroff still needs to be on the lookout for more edge rushers. At this point, Umenyiora and Kroy Biermann are the starters at defensive end for the Falcons. Osi recorded 43 tackles and six sacks last season.

Osi Umenyiora DL ATL
2 Months Atlanta Falcons Comment

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff confirmed Monday that the team is in contract negotiations with free agent DE Osi Umenyiora.

It's just a matter of time before the deal is finalized. "Our discussions are fluid and amicable," said Dimitroff. On Sunday, the Ravens agreed to terms with Elvis Dumervil on a five-year, $26 million contract with another $9 million possible in incentives. Umenyiora figures to receive slightly less than that. He's 2 1/2 years older than Dumervil and not as productive.

Osi Umenyiora DL ATL
2 Months Atlanta Falcons Comment

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it appears to be a "foregone conclusion" that free agent Osi Umenyiora will sign with the Falcons.

It's what PFT reported on Saturday, and what remains the case 48 hours later. The sides are probably just putting the finishing touches on what will likely be an incentive-laden contract. Although he's three and a half years younger, Umenyiora may not be sizable upgrade on John Abraham at this stage in their respective careers.

Osi Umenyiora DL ATL
2 Months Atlanta Falcons 3 Comments

A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk free agent Osi Umenyiora will sign with the Falcons.

"Atlanta is the place," the source said. Per PFT, the deal is expected to be finalized on Sunday or Monday. Umenyiora will replace John Abraham in Atlanta. At age 31, Abraham is 3 1/2 years younger than Abraham, though not quite as explosive off the edge. Umenyiora is capable of playing more snaps at this stage of their respective careers. We still expect Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff to prioritize defensive end in April's draft.

Osi Umenyiora DL ATL
2 Months Atlanta Falcons Comment

Free agent DE Osi Umenyiora expressed his desire to play for the Falcons.

"The only thing I can think of that would be better than being able to win in New York would be to be able to win here in Atlanta," Umenyiora said. "We'll see how that plays out. Hopefully, it works out in a positive direction." The 31-year-old makes his offseason home in Atlanta, and he visited the team on Wednesday. ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported that the Falcons would like to get a deal done with Umenyiora this weekend.

Osi Umenyiora DL ATL
2 Months Atlanta Falcons Comment

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Falcons are making a "strong push" to sign free agent Osi Umenyiora.

If forced to guess right now, we'd project Osi to Atlanta, Elvis Dumervil to Baltimore, Dwight Freeney to Denver, and John Abraham to New England. Per Schefter, the Falcons are trying to wrap up a Umenyiora deal "before the end of the weekend." Umenyiora is 3 1/2 years younger than Abraham. He'd likely replace Abraham at right defensive end, with Kroy Biermann on the left side.

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