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I know we are close to our cap this year and its too early to ask but what contracts are coming off the books next year? Are we ever going to have good cap space or just be maxed out each year? I really wish we didn't have to play the cap game each year or at least that's the way it seems.

You can see all the expiring contracts here:

http://falcfans.com/free-agency

As you can see Babineaux's contract expires, along with Jerry, Peters, and Ryan's. But we know Ryan will get an extension between now and then, and thus any projections about 2014 cap space don't include the $8-15 million of cap space that Ryan is likely to take up. Between Hawley & Mike Johnson, one presumes at least 1 of them will get a contract extension, and Peters is also likely to get one. McClain is also an RFA, so his cap hit in 2014 is probably going to be between $1.5-$2.5M. If we say Johnson & Hawley get Reynolds-level deals, plus McClain, plus Ryan (let's say $10M), and Peters (say $3M), that's probably around $18M in cap space that will be eaten by those guys.

Also factor in that Julio and Spoon will be entering the final years of their deals in 2014 as well. And they will be in line for extensions. It'll be smart for the Falcons to try and lock them up long-term sooner rather than later.

It's hard to project what the Falcons cap situation will be next off-season because only about 40 guys are currently under contract for the 2014 season. And probably around a dozen of them aren't safe bets to be Falcons come that time (i.e. Pat Schiller, Josh Vaughan, Tim Toone, etc.). The Falcons will have at least 10 draft picks, and you can probably bet that they will replace several of those players. They'll count roughly $5.65M towards the 2013 cap, but that number will be around $6.5M in 2014.

Gonzo's cap hit in 2014 is $8.75M. If he does retire, I believe the full amount comes off. Clabo is $6M, Jackson shoudl be around $4M, alongside Nicholas with $4M, and Bryant is $3.3M. Maybe these deals come off the books.

But right now, I have the 43 players under contract for the Falcons in 2014 counting $96M towards the cap, which is probably going to be around $125M. For the sake of comparison, the Top 43 players currently under contract for this year, count about $100M against the cap.

Add in the 5 players I have listed above ($18M), you're probably taking about the Falcons have somewhere between $5-10M in cap space 360 days from now.

1. Jackson? [edit: yeah, that took a bit to sink in.]

2. I thought that part of Gonzo's deal for this year prorated his signing bonus over this year and next.

Gonzo signed 2 yrs $14M.

$3.5M bonus split over two yrs. $3.5M base in 2013, $7M base in 2014.

Update on Steven Jackson's deal, his cap hit this year is $2.917M, next year $4.167M, and $4.917M in 2015.

D. Orlando Ledbetter

ANALYSIS OF THE FALCONS' FREE AGENCY PLAN

FLOWERY BRANCH -- From the outset of free agency, Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff made it clear that the team cleared salary cap space in order to keep some of their own free agents.

The Falcons spent $91.08 million in retaining safety William Moore, tight end Tony Gonzalez, tackle Sam Baker, running back Antone Smith and right guard Garrett Reynolds.

The Falcons aslo spent $12 million on running back Steven Jackson to push their total to $103.08 million.
Cornerback Dunta Robinson was snapped up by the Kansas City Chiefs and some of their reserves have moved on, including defensive end Lawrence Sidbury (Indianapolis), defensive tackle Vance Walker (Oakland) and tackle Will Svitek (New England).

Running back Michael Turner, cornerback Brent Grimes, defensive end John Abraham are in the group of former Falcons who are still available.

Here’s our Falcons free agent tracker:

RETURNEES

WILLIAM MOORE, SS: Moore received a five-year contract worth $29.512 with escalators that could take it up to $32 million. Moore received a signing bonus of $8.25 million and his cap number for 2012 is $3.9 million. He is set to receive base salaries of $2.25 million (2013), $3.5 million (2014), $3.5 million (2015), $4.5 million (2016) and $6.25 million (2017).

ANTONE SMITH, RB: He signed a two-year, $1.425 million deal.

GARRETT REYNOLDS, OG: Reynolds two-year deal was worth $2.58 million. He received a $500,000 signing bonus, with $700,000 of the deal guaranteed. His cap number for 2013 is $1 million. He set to receive base salaries of $715,000 (2013) and $1.285 million (2014).

SAM BAKER, OT: He signed a six-year, $41.1 million deal with $18.25 million guaranteed. Baker also received a $10 million signing bonus. Baker’s base salaries are $1 million (2013), $3.25 million (2014), $4.5 million (2015), $5.25 million (2016), $6.5 million (2017) and $6.6 million (2018). Baker’s cap number is $3 million for 2013.

TONY GONZALEZ, TE: He signed a two-year, $14 million contract and will count for $5.25 million on the 2013 salary cap. He’s set to receive a base salary of $3.5 million and he has a bonus of $3.5 million. In 2014, his base salary is $4.0 million with a roster bonus of $3 million if he plans to continue playing. A two-year deal was done in order to spread his bonus money out over two years.

FREE AGENT PICKUP

STEVEN JACKSON, RB: He signed a three-year, $12 million deal. Jackson’s deal, of which $4 million was guaranteed, has a cap number of $2.916 for 2013. He received a $3.5 million signing bonus and has base salaries are $1.75 million ($500,000 guaranteed in 2013), $3 million (2014) and $3.75 million (2015).
PLAYERS LOST

LAWRENCE SIDBURY, DE, INDIANAPOLIS: He signed a one-year, $780,000 contract with $65,000 signing bonus.
Will SVITEK, OT, NEW ENGLAND: He signed a one-year, $1 million deal with $500,000 guaranteed.
VANCE WALKER, DT, OAKLAND: He signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Raiders. He has a $1.3 million base salary with a $500,000 signing bonus and $200,000 workout bonus.
RE-SIGNED WITH ANOTHER TEAM

DUNTA ROBINSON, CB: He signed a three-year deal worth $13.8 million. He received a $3 million signing bonus.
STILL AVAILABLE

JOHN ABRAHAM, DE: He has visited Seattle, San Francisco and New England.
CHRISTOPHER OWENS, CB: Finished his rookie season as a starter at left cornerback and has played extensively at nickel back. He played in 59 games and made 11 starts. He was a key contributor on special teams. He has 105 tackles and three interceptions over his career.
BRENT GRIMES, CB: He has visited the Dolphins and the Browns, who also have Owen's on their radar, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The Browns liked free agent cornerback Brent Grimes so much that they sent a private jet to pick him up for his visit to Berea on Saturday. They also invited his wife and son to town. Now Grimes, 29, must decide among Cleveland, Atlanta and at least one other team.
"The visit went very well," said Banner. "We enjoyed meeting him. He obviously has other teams interested in him and a place he's played a long time. We'll see how it goes."
Grimes is coming off a torn Achilles injury in the 2012 opener, but the Browns are confident he'll be ready for the season. "He's not 100 percent but we felt good about the time we spent and the physical evaluation as well," said Banner.

If Grimes goes elsewhere, the Browns might turn to his teammate, cornerback Chris Owens, 26, a source said Monday.

MICHAEL PALMER, TE: He played in 44 games and made four starts over three seasons. He caught 21 passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

MIKE COX, FB: The former Georgia Tech standout started 11 games for the Falcons over the past two seasons and played in 16 games overall. He also played three seasons with the Chiefs.

CHRIS HOPE, FS/SS: Former Pro Bowler played well on special teams last season and saw some action in the dime defense in the playoffs.

LUKE McCOWN, QB: He served as Matt Ryan’s backup last season. Team appears set to elevate Dominique Davis to the No. 2 spot.

MIKE PETERSON, LB: Provided veteran leadership and insurance last season. Made a key stop against Tampa Bay.

MICHAEL TURNER, RB: He was officially released because of a failed physical, which was listed in the league transactions. Turner aggravated an ankle injury in the NFC championship game. He limped off the field in the third quarter and did not return. The team did not announce any additional information about the injury or if he required offseason surgery. Turner played in all 18 games last season and rushed for 800 yards on 222 carries during the regular season. He had a groin surgery after the 2011 season. Turner plans to keep playing in the NFL.
TO RETIRE

TODD McCLURE, C: He announced that he will retire after 14 years in the NFL trenches.
How have the Falcons done so far?