Last year, the Falcons entered the season with a top-notch depth chart of cornerbacks: Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson, and Asante Samuel.
This year, two thirds of that trio could be gone.
With Robinson cut, only Samuel remains under contract. Grimes signed a one-year franchise tender in 2012, which paid him $10.284 million last season. He then tore his Achilles tendon in Week One.
To tag Grimes again, it would cost the Falcons $12.34 million for the 2013 season. Even though the Falcons cleared more than enough cap space on Friday to pay for Grimes by dumping Robinson, defensive end John Abraham, and running back Michael Turner, it would be a surprise if Grimes is tagged again.
Without Robinson and Grimes, the Falcons have four corners on the roster other than Samuel. Chris Owens, a third-round pick in 2009, appeared in 13 games with one start in 2012. Dominique Franks, a fifth-rounder in 2010, appeared in 16 games. Terrence Johnson, a two-year veteran signed in 2012, appeared in two games. Robert McClain, who appeared in 15 games and started three, was signed last season as a free agents after spending his first two years with Carolina and Jacksonville.
There’s no way the Falcons made the move to dump Robinson and, possibly, to let Grimes go without a plan. In due time, we’ll find out what it is.
Who knows? Maybe Samuel will be dumped, too.