The Falcons fixed two of their biggest problems with the additions of Justin Simmons and Matthew Judon.
Lord knows Atlanta has needed a pass rusher since John Abraham terrorized quarterbacks in the Georgia Dome. Judon’s four sacks, which he notched in just four games, would’ve been tied for fourth on last year’s defense.
The 32-year-old veteran immediately becomes the Falcons’ best pass rusher and eases an area of concern. Simmons, on the other hand, fills a position that not as many people talked about as a weakness.
Because of Jessie Bates, some believed safety was perfectly fine as currently constructed, but I was adamant in saying the Falcons needed to replace Richie Grant and/or DeMarcco Hellams. With Simmons, they did just that.
However, that doesn’t mean Richie Grant won’t have a role on this year’s defense. Raheem Morris told Atlanta media on Monday that the plan is to find packages to get three safeties on the field, with Grant joining Bates and Simmons.
Morris says the #Falcons want to come up with a way to get safeties Jessie Bates III, Justin Simmons and Richie Grant playing in a rotation like the way they have ILBs Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen and Nate Landman.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 19, 2024
I know some Falcons fans don’t want to hear this, but there’s a world where it can work out with Grant on the field.
It would be a big nickel look where the extra defensive back is a safety instead of a cornerback, alleviating some of the concern of a linebacker dropping into coverage. Grant has actually been serviceable if he’s closer to the line of scrimmage, and that’s what I would assume those packages would look like.
Instead of having a linebacker, like Troy Andersen or Nate Landman in the box, Grant will be there, giving the defense more reliable coverage.
As far as being a reliable safety on the backend, that time may have passed the former second-round pick, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be successful in a lesser role.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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