Falcons 2016 Draft: Where oh where are the pass rushers?

A failure to address the pass rush this offseason could put a ceiling on the Atlanta Falcons’ defense in 2016.

Where oh where is the pass rush?

After posting an embarrassing 19 sacks last season, an NFL-low, the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason had to revolve around getting more pressure on the quarterback. Yet with the 2016 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, it’s tough to see how the defense is going to significantly improve on their anaemic 41 sacks over the past two seasons.

The Falcons didn’t fail to upgrade the defensive end position through lack of opportunity: Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff made a decision to pass up on edge rushers Shaq Lawson, Emmanuel Ogbah and Kevin Dodd. Either of the three would have been solid additions at No. 17 in the draft.

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They opted for safety Keanu Neal, which for the record I think was a good pick. Neal upgrades a position of need and adds the physicality Quinn’s defense has been crying out for. He is a heat seeking missile who isn’t afraid to fly in at ball carriers.

Atlanta didn’t necessarily need to go after a pass rusher on day one, although there were more than enough candidates. But a late-round flier such as Victor Ochi of Stony Brook would have made a ton of sense on day three. Ochi might only be a situational pass rusher as a rookie, but there’s a number of traits to his game which could help the Falcons generate more pressure. Ochi went undrafted and was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens.

On the draft’s opening day, Atlanta had a great opportunity to go grab a talent who can get after the passer. Maybe a gamble on Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence was too rich for the Falcons’ liking at No. 17, but there is no such thing as a ‘safe pick’ in the lottery of the draft, and they would have landed one of the top pure pass rushers in the class. Why not roll the dice? Instead, the Falcons are tasked with trying to stop him hitting Matt Ryan twice a year after the Buccaneers took a chance on him.

How do you defeat Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Drew Brees? Pressure.

How do you defeat Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Carson Palmer? Pressure. The Broncos proved this in the Super Bowl, and the Falcons have the challenge of taking on all of these passers in 2016.

On defense, it all starts by rushing the quarterback.

The Falcons will be hoping their offseason investments can combine for a healthy sack total. Free agent signing Derrick Shelby offers some support along the defensive line, but he’s never surpassed 3.5 sacks in a season. Adrian Clayborn will spend more time at defensive end and will be relied on to improve on his three sacks he posted last term.

Perhaps the biggest jump the defense needs will come from second-year Vic Beasley. Beasley played through a torn labrum in 2015 but still posted a team-high four sacks.

Fourth-round draft choice De’Vondre Campbell offers some potential as a pass rusher, but he is more of a project at this stage. Deion Jones may be able to use his speed to generate some pressure himself on occasion, but Jones’ primary role will be to cover the middle of the field.

Next: How the Falcons addressed their needs in draft

The development of the young talent will be crucial for the pass rush to take the major jump it needs. For now, it feels like an opportunity was missed for the Atlanta Falcons.