Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 16: Mike Glennon #7 of the Arizona Cardinals is sacked by Grady Jarrett #97, Vic Beasley #44, and Jack Crawford #95 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

21. Atlanta Falcons

2018 Review: You could sum up this unit’s problems within the first three weeks of a season. In the opening Thursday night loss to the Eagles, the Falcons saw safety Keanu Neal and middle linebacker Deion Jones go down – the former lost for the entire season. Two weeks later, safety Ricardo Allen was knocked out for the remainder of 2018. The club would wind up finish 28th in the league in total yards allowed and struggled against both the run and pass. Atlanta allowed a whopping 423 points – 108 more than they surrendered the previous season (315).

2019 Key Additions: After utilizing two different men (Richard Smith and Marquand Manuel) in his first four seasons with the club, head coach Dan Quinn now assumes defensive coordinator duties. There could be a pair of new starter on the left side of the defensive line in underrated end Allen Bailey and tackle Tyeler Davison. Adrian Clayborn is back with the club after a year with the Patriots. Unfortunately, you can’t sign health in free agency.

Analysis: Regardless of the reasons, the Falcons’ defense has been subpar two of the past three seasons. Quinn is now at the controls and given the team’s offseason moves, this is a club that hopes to help out this side of the ball with a steady ground game. The addition of Bailey can’t be underestimated up front because of his versatility.

Next: No. 20

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