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Dan Quinn believes Atlanta Falcons ‘nailed it’ in free agency

By Freddie Boston

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Speaking with the media Thursday, new head coach Dan Quinn believes the Atlanta Falcons ‘nailed it’ in free agency.

The Falcons have had a busy offseason so far aiming to strengthen areas of need, particularly on defense where they ranked dead last in 2014.

Linebackers Brooks Reed and Justin Durant were joined by defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and O’Brien Schofield as the Falcons look to improve their pass-rush.

But what is it Quinn looks for when searching the market?

"“The question we ask is can we add speed? Can we add toughness? This was the real factor coming into it,” Quinn said. “I thought we nailed it.”"

Speed and toughness.

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Those are terms you would associate with the Seattle Seahawks defense, the team Quinn was with as defensive coordinator before becoming Falcons head coach.

It certainly looks as if Quinn will try to build a defense similar to the one he had in Seattle.

And why not?

The Seahawks defense has dominated in recent years and was at the heart of a Super Bowl victory in 2013 followed up with a return to the big game last season.

Despite the moves made in free agency, the Falcons will be looking to add one of the draft’s premier pass-rushers when the 2015 NFL Draft kicks off on April 30.

Quinn didn’t specify a preference of the pass-rushers, but he believes there are a number of highly talented players in the draft.

What is it that stands out to Quinn when looking at draft prospects?

"“It comes down to the speed and length of a player. And that effort to keep relentlessly going,” Quinn said. “You want to go through as much of the game film as you can.”"

A player with great speed is Dante Fowler of Florida. According to ESPN, Fowler ran a 4.60-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in February — third-best among defensive ends.

Feb 22, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler goes through work out drills during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Alvin Dupree went one better. He completed the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, ranking third amongst outside linebackers at the combine.

Speed is an important asset to have in Quinn’s defense, and this will be a factor when determining who they target in the upcoming draft.

If the Falcons can draft well, there is no reason to doubt that the defense can rise up the rankings in 2015. They won’t be sitting atop the defensive rankings with the likes of the Seahawks and New York Jets, but there is enough reason to believe they can finish in a much more respectable position than they did last term.

With their high-power offense, the Falcons don’t need to have the best defense in the league to succeed, they just need it to be competitive.

For now, at least, Quinn is please with how the offseason is progressing.

Next: Mock draft roundup: Defense early for Falcons

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