Coming into last offseason, the Falcons’ plans were obvious — find a quarterback.
After hiring Raheem Morris, Atlanta immediately took to free agency to hand Kirk Cousins a $180 million contract. It fixed the Falcons long-standing quarterback issue, but they weren’t done.
Around six weeks later, the club shocked the entire world by drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick. The thought process? Morris doesn’t expect his club to be drafting in the top 10 anytime soon, so they found the quarterback of the future before needing to find one.
This offseason will have a similar theme — find a pass rush. No, not find a pass rusher. Find a pass rush. The Falcons have a league-low five sacks on the season and rank 29th in pressures. The draft, free agency, and trades should all be on the table because one guy isn’t going to fix the issue. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the Falcons taking their first defender in the first round since Terry Fontenot took over as Atlanta’s GM, selecting Landon Jackson with the 26th pick.
The Falcons retooled their defense in the offseason — including a trade for Matthew Judon — but still lack depth on the edge. And they haven’t turned those additions into sack production; Atlanta ranks last in sack rate (2.3%). The 6-foot-7, 280-pound Jackson has 2.5 sacks so far this season and can play a variety of spots thanks to his ability to rush off the edge or reduce inside.
I don’t care if it’s Landon Jackson or any other defensive linemen; the Falcons have to come away with at least one in next year’s first round. Hopes are high for Zach Harrison, Bralen Trice, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, and Arnold Ebiketie, but let’s be realistic about it all.
Ebiketie hasn’t developed a single iota during his time in Atlanta. Orhorhoro, the other second-round pick, is a work in progress as a pass rusher. The pair of third-rounders — Trice and Harrison — are probably the club’s best hopes, but putting all of your eggs in that basket is ridiculous for a team with this bad of a pass rush.
The Falcons have to continue to pour resources into the problem until there is no longer one.
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