Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons upgrade pass rush in latest 2016 NFL mock draft

By Freddie Boston

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 11
Next

Who will the Atlanta Falcons take in the latest NFL mock draft?

Pass rush is far and way the biggest need for the Atlanta Falcons. If you can’t put the quarterback under consistent pressure you can’t expect your defense to get off the field on a regular basis. Dan Quinn knows that, and he will be focused on improving the unit ahead of his second season as head coach.

Vic Beasley — last year’s first-round draft choice who played for much of the season with a torn labrum — will help the defense get better, but he can’t do it alone. The best defenses bring waves of pressure, not just one guy.

Free agent acquisition Derrick Shelby will help add some more interior pressure and collapse the pocket from the inside, but he’s not a big sacks guy. What the Falcons need is pure edge rushers who make a living for whipping linemen and hitting the passer.

With just five picks in this year’s draft, Atlanta might look to find their pass rusher in the first round. That’s what happens in this draft. Let’s take a look at how the board falls when the Falcons hit the clock first and who they decide to grab at No. 17.

Next: Picks 1-3