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Atlanta Falcons: Updated draft priorities after first wave of free agency

By Freddie Boston

Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) and Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Nate Crawford (55) battle during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) and Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Nate Crawford (55) battle during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) and Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Nate Crawford (55) battle during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) and Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Nate Crawford (55) battle during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Keep adding to the pass rush

There is no bigger need for this football team than the pass rush. After posting an anaemic 19 sacks in 2015, the need to rush the passer is obvious. You only have to look at the regular Super Bowl contenders to see just how important it is. The Broncos won Super Bowl 50 on the back of their suffocating pass rush.

Vic Beasley didn’t meet expectations as a rookie. Of course, there’s a number of reasons for this. He was playing hurt for starters and wasn’t given much help by the players around him. Oh, and he was a rookie, and rookies make rookie mistakes. In year two, he should be a more polished player. Atlanta now needs to find him a dance partner.

There’s a strong chance the Falcons will look to add a defensive end with their first selection, so long as there is one worthy of the 17th overall pick. As it’s such an important need, if there isn’t a player available that makes sense at No. 17, the Falcons should immediately look to trade down to where a better option is available.

The No. 1 priority at the beginning of the offseason was fixing the pass rush, and this hasn’t changed.

Next: A major need