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5 players who Falcons need to be great in 2020

By Rucker Haringey

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 27: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after sacking Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 27: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after sacking Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons takes a drink of water while there’s a break in the action against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3. Grady Jarrett

It’s no secret that the Falcons need to improve their pass rush efforts in 2020. Much of the attention is understandably placed on the team’s options at defensive end. It is, however,  a mistake to overlook just how much the team’s defensive line depends on Jarrett’s excellent play at defensive tackle.

Jarrett actually finished just .5 sacks behind Beasley last season to lead the team. 7.5 total sacks isn’t a great return for an edge rusher, but it’s terrific value from an interior defensive lineman. The Falcons cannot afford for Jarrett’s play to dip in the slightest in 2020.

Any uptick in production from the 26-year-old tackle might go a long way towards solving the team’s biggest defensive weakness. If he could step up and become a double-digit sack artist from the interior it would take a ton of pressure off his peers along the line.

That might seem like a heavy ask of Jarrett, but he’s got the natural talent to develop into an All-Po. Whether or not he can take that leap in 2020 will go a long way towards determining just how good the Falcons defensive front can be.

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