5 landing spots for Von Miller in 2022 NFL free agency

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals evades a tackle by Von Miller #40 of the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 19: Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

1. Atlanta Falcons

It’s been a longtime weakness for this club and it’s one of the numerous reasons the club has failed to reach the playoffs each of the past four seasons.

You have to go back to 2004 to find the last time the Atlanta Falcons averaged at least 2.5 sacks per game. That season, the team came up with 48 quarterback traps and reached the NFC title game. In 2016, the club got a big year from Vic Beasley (15.5 sacks) and the Falcons wound up in the Super Bowl. But the young defender had nearly half of the team’s 34 sacks.

This past season, the Falcons finished with a league-low 18 sacks in 17 contests. To put that in perspective, Steelers’ outside linebacker 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt totaled a league-best 22.5 sacks and Chicago’s Robert Quinn finished with 18.5 quarterback traps. All told, Atlanta managed one sack (8 games) or less (5 games) in a combined 13 outings. It was little wonder that Dean Pees’ defensive unit surrendered 31 scores through the air.

Von Miller would make the Atlanta pass rush fearsome for the first time in many years. In 2021, only the Jets (504) and Lions (467) allowed more points than Arthur Smith’s club.

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