Atlanta Falcons: Set to debut new defense in 2017

After making some key additions via the 2017 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons are set to feature a talented defense much to the delight of head coach Dan Quinn

Things will look much different for the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. After signing the big defensive tackle Dontari Poe in free agency, they kept adding to that side of the ball in the draft. In Round 1 it was UCLA EDGE Takkarist McKinley, who they traded up for to grab at number 26.

They then traded down from their second round pick and selected the speedy LSU linebacker, Duke Riley. Their last defensive pick of the weekend came in the fifth when they selected the ballhawking corner, Damontae Kazee, from San Diego State.

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The combination of speed and potential has head coach Dan Quinn excited about the new defense his team will trot out as they defend their NFC title this coming season.

"“The speed and the athleticism and the way we want to attack, it 100 percent [fits what we want], so we are very excited about that group, amongst others, but that group we are very, very excited to be working with them,” Quinn said via Kelsey Conway of AtlantaFalcons.com"

It’s always hard to project how rookies will do, but Atlanta was already much improved as 2016 wound down. Now that they have even more players that fit Quinn’s system, they could be even more dangerous.

Of course the biggest question revolves around McKinley, the first round pick who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Some reports suggest he may not be ready for training camp, which could affect his season. The Falcons are good enough though to win the South without him, and he could very well be a huge plus come the post season.

Must Read: Damontae Kazee: A Closer Look at Atlanta’s Fifth-Rounder

One thing that’s for sure is this defense will look much different than they did when we last saw them. And that’s not a bad thing.

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