Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
Now that NFL free agency is officially underway, the Atlanta Falcons have been making their moves to prepare for the 2026 season. But outside of the signing of former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, they’ve been relatively quiet with their additions.
When it comes to the Falcons, perhaps it’s more about who has left the team in free agency than who they’ve added.
Along with a few releases, the Falcons have seen 10 departures thus far, with six of those already finding new teams.
Some of these, like the release of wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Khadarel Hodge, have been addressed with the signings of Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. However, finding a replacement for running back Tyler Allgeier, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals, hasn’t been solved just yet.
According to The Athletic’s Josh Kendall, he believes that move could still be coming. And believe it or not, it could all be thanks to a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back who signed elsewhere in the NFC as to reason why.
Commanders Signing May Help Falcons Running Back Search
Now former Buccaneers running back Rachaad White signed a one-year, $2 million deal, “with the potential for another $2 million in incentives for $4M total,” with the Washington Commanders, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.
“I expect the Falcons to add another running back and with White, who’s a good player, getting a number like this, they should be able to find a very affordable option,” Kendall wrote.
White leaves Tampa Bay after four years with the team. Allgeier, on the other hand, signed a two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Cardinals.
Obviously, it seems like the Falcons will be looking for something much closer to White’s deal. As for who that could be, there are still plenty of names available in free agency such as Joe Mixon, Najee Harris, Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb, among others.
Currently, Mixon carries the highest projected market value at $3.2 million annually, according to Spotrac.
Falcons Could Also Look to 2026 NFL Draft
There’s also the possibility that Atlanta bypasses free agency altogether and looks to the 2026 NFL Draft to replace Allgeier. The only issue with that approach lies in the Falcons’ draft capital.
Right now, Atlanta holds just five total draft picks, with none in the first round and only three within the first five rounds. New general manager Ian Cunningham may be able to maneuver around that somewhat, but it would still be difficult.
Assuming the draft capital remains as it is, it’s unlikely Atlanta would spend one of those picks on a running back. The team appears to have far more pressing needs at other positions.
And again, there seems to be plenty of viable and affordable options still available in free agency.
Whoever ends up filling the role will be playing behind one of the best running backs in the league in Bijan Robinson. That said, replacing the production of Allgeier won’t be easy given how effective he has been as Atlanta’s RB2 over the last three seasons.