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Dante Fowler meeting with Atlanta Falcons a positive sign

By Freddie Boston

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With help desperately needed to the Atlanta Falcons ailing pass-rush, Florida defensive end Dante Fowler would be a perfect fit. He will be visiting with the Falcons this weekend.

With the Falcons using one of their 30 pre-draft visits on Fowler, there is clear interest in potentially drafting him with the eighth-overall pick should he reach that far.

New Falcons head coach Dan Quinn would likely welcome the Florida star to Atlanta. As Mike Huguenin of NFL.com writes, Quinn has coached Fowler in the past:

"“Fowler is well-acquainted with new Falcons coach Dan Quinn: Quinn was Florida’s defensive coordinator in 2011 and ’12, and Fowler was a true freshman with the Gators in 2012.”"

Many expect Fowler to be taken by the time the Falcons pick, but it’s possible they could try and find a trade partner to move up.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars’ third-overall pick could be a potential landing spot for the Falcons. The Jaguars would benefit from acquiring extra picks as they continue their rebuild, and the Falcons would get their target.

Bringing Fowler to Atlanta would be an ideal scenario, and it’s one the edge rusher would welcome too.

According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN, Fowler has high praise for his former defensive coordinator:

"“I love him,” Fowler said of Quinn, who was Florida’s defensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012. “Coach Quinn, he’s a great guy. He took me in as like his little son my freshman year. Going into the SEC and playing in the SEC as a defensive lineman your first year is very hard. He just showed me the ropes and he got my feet wet. He was always there through the process — school, football and things like that. He’s a great coach.”"

Quinn would be able to bring the best out of Fowler, especially with their history.

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According to Sports Reference, he finished his three seasons in Florida with 140 tackles, 33.5 of which were for a loss, and 14.5 sacks.

For a pass defense that ranked dead last in 2014, bringing in Fowler would be a major step in the right direction.

Reuniting with Quinn could spark the beginning of a turnaround for the Atlanta defense, and they would finally have a player who can consistently hit the quarterback.

Fowler is an athletic player with the potential to become one of the premier pass-rushers in the entire NFL. He will be meeting with the Falcons this coming weekend.

Maybe he will be heading to Atlanta after the 2015 NFL Draft.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Seven-Round Mock Draft

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