Atlanta Falcons: 5 second-year players that will be impactful

Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley (44) rushes Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8, right) as offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) blocks Beasley in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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3) Brooks Reed – LB

Brooks Reed was Dan Quinn’s first splash free agent signing in 2015 but sadly it didn’t really go as planned in his first season with the Falcons. Reed missed the first part of the season with a hip injury and one he returned to action, he split reps with O’Brien Schofield.

Reed was never the No. 1 guy in 2015 and that might change in 2016. There have been rumors that Reed might move over to middle linebacker rather than his normal position of strong side linebacker. That would put him in a battle with Paul Worrilow for the starting job and it’s a job I see him winning.

If the rumors are false, Reed will likely get a lot of playing time at strong side linebacker. We could see Vic Beasley line up in this spot some as he makes a transition to linebacker but it’s still Reed’s job to lose at this point in time. Look for Reed to have a much better season in year two regardless of what position he is playing.

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