Atlanta Falcons: Three players that need to step it up

Joplo Bartu, OLB

Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Owen Daniels (81) tips the ball to himself for a catch in front of Atlanta Falcons linebacker Joplo Bartu (59) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Joplo Bartu hasn’t had the good fortune of playing on a good Atlanta Falcons team. However, he has provided the team with a very hard work ethic and a servicible body on special teams and at linebacker. Bartu was undrafted out of the 2013 NFL draft and made the team out of camp along side Paul Worrilow who also went undrafted.

Bartu has played in all 32 games since being signed to the Falcons and has recorded 80 plus tackles in both seasons. But, don’t let the similar numbers fool you. Bartu struggled to play his position on defense in 2014 and was seen making bad plays left and right. Bartu has a solid size and could flourish under Dan Quinn’s scheme, but he has yet to show it in camp.

While camp is hard to judge on how someone is really doing, the preseason will show it all. Will Bartu be able to lock down a roster spot in the preseason? We will soon find out.