NFL Rumors: Atlanta Falcons still looking to add pass rusher
By Hayden Kane
The Atlanta Falcons went back to the drawing board after a disastrous 4-12 season in 2013. Key injuries exposed an utter lack of depth on the roster, something the team is trying to remedy this off-season.
The team’s pass rush a glaring area of need, as it has been for the last number of seasons. While they have not added anybody yet, the team still plans to this off-season. Whether that will be in free agency or in the draft remains up in the air.
The Falcons have the 6th overall pick in the draft, a spot where people are starting to wonder if they should grab Khalil Mack out of Buffalo. Vaugh McClure of ESPN writes that the team is more likely to draft an offensive lineman in that spot:
"Of course, many fans would love to see Buffalo’s Khalil Mack at outside linebacker as Mack’s draft status continues to soar. The Falcons currently own the sixth-overall pick but seem more likely to look at a pass-rusher in the later rounds rather than pass up an offensive tackle in the first.”"
In terms of free agency, Jared Allen is still available, though he might be outside the range of what Atlanta wants to spend. It will be interesting to see if GM Thomas Dimitroff opts for an understated move, such as using a later draft pick to get a pass rusher, or if he changes course and does something more bold.