The Falcons have added a pair of linebackers, signing Brooks Reed and Justin Durant to deals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Reed’s contract will be worth $22MM over five years. Details of Durant’s deal have not yet been released.
Reed spent the first four years of his career in Houston, where he started 52 of a possible 60 games and racked up 14.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated him the 26th-best 3-4 OLB in the NFL out of 46 qualifiers last season.
In signing with the Falcons, Durant joins his fourth team in what will be his ninth year. He spent 2014 with the Cowboys and missed 10 games with a torn bicep, amassing 49 tackles in six contests. Durant finished 17th out of 40 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus’ 4-3 OLB rankings. The Cowboys “hoped” to retain the 29-year-old, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News
Both Reed and Durant are expected to beef up a Falcons defense that finished dead last in yardage allowed and 27th in points surrendered last season. They’ll also help fill the void of ex-Falcon Sean Weatherspoon, who agreed to a deal with the Cardinals.