A handful of plausible free agent targets for Atlanta United

we promise we're not going to make the team sign anyone to a TAM deal this time

We have to start by addressing the fact that the last time I really put my reputation on the line and picked out a free agent that would be an excellent fit for Atlanta United based on skillset, production and probable salary, I may or may not have accidentally willed the Derrick Etienne Jr. signing into existence. I stand by my logic. I do not stand by Atlanta giving him a TAM deal and my whole deal was predicated in the first place on him being a cheap depth option. Gonna be honest, I think Carlos Bocanegra and co. might have whiffed on a few signings during that era.

Anyway, the MLSPA recently released the latest list of players whose contracts are either expiring or have option years coming up. So, of course, we’re going to take a look at a few players that *might* make sense for Atlanta United AT THE RIGHT PRICE POINT.

Before we get there, though, we should consider what positions Atlanta will certainly be looking to fill this offseason. Here’s how the depth chart looks heading into the offseason. (Players with options have a question mark next to their name.)

Now, we should obviously not being expecting all of this to stay the same. There are buyouts to make, trades to complete and DPs to try and jettison. If I’m going to take an educated guess at what positions will be of need for Atlanta, I’d go:

• Starting caliber players and depth players on both wings

• An additional depth piece in central midfield

• An additional depth piece at center back

• A starting-caliber right back

• A backup goalkeeper

Gut call, the depth chart ends up looking like something like this.

Let’s go need by need.

STARTING CALIBER WINGERS