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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November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley (44) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /

1) Vic Beasley – DE

Vic Beasley is No. 1 on this list and if that surprises you, you might not be in the right place. Beasley is going to be asked a lot of him in his second season and for good reason. The Falcons decided not to draft a pass rusher in the 2016 draft so it’s all on Beasley to perform.

As far as pass rushers go, the Falcons really don’t have a lot of them. They signed Derrick Shelby and re-signed Adrian Clayborn, but outside of those two, Beasley is really the only other true pass rusher they have.

Beasley will need to play at a much higher level in 2016. 4.5 sacks out of your top rusher just isn’t going to cut it again. The Falcons should have much better coverage and with that quarterbacks will be holding the ball longer. And with quarterbacks holding onto the ball longer, that will give Beasley more time to get to them and put them on the ground.

Well, let’s hope that’s the case.

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