Atlanta Falcons: 5 offseason needs
By John Buhler
1. Another pass rusher coming off the edge
With the NFL becoming increasingly a passing-driven league, an NFL defense can never have too many pass rushers. Expect the Falcons to use its No. 31 pick on a pass rusher, either at defensive end or outside linebacker, in the upcoming draft.
Atlanta has a stud in Vic Beasley, but Dwight Freeney playing opposite of him isn’t going to do this forever. He, Phillip Wheeler, and Courtney Upshaw will all be hitting free agency this spring. Wheeler has kicked inside at times. Upshaw has redefined himself in the trenches up front in Atlanta. Both could return, but Freeney might hang up the spikes.
Then again, that ridiculous spin move of his is timeless. If he doesn’t have to go backwards, who is to say that Freeney can’t play for another year with the Falcons. Beasley would certainly enjoy having his mentor back in Flowery Branch.
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This isn’t a particularly deep pass rushing free agency class. Maybe Dimitroff looks into Nick Perry of the Green Bay Packers or Melvin Ingram of the San Diego Chargers? Perhaps Atlanta is best off drafting a Charles Harris type of pass rusher at No. 31 this spring? Either way, Atlanta needs to get another dynamic player coming off the edge to play off Beasley.