Falcons rumors: Club talking trade with Seahawks for Michael Bennett
Set to lose two players from the defensive line to free agency, the Atlanta Falcons are reportedly looking to get defensive end Michael Bennett from Seattle
With the departures of defensive tackle Dontari Poe and defensive end Derrick Shelby along with possibly Adrian Clayborn, the Atlanta Falcons are looking for another pass rusher to compliment Vic Beasley, and Takkarist McKinley.
Atlanta has their sights set on Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure.
Acquiring Bennett would bring experience and a solid pass rush to the Falcons’ defensive line. In 2017, Bennett combined for 40 combined tackles and 8.5 sacks. Bennett would also be a great mentor to McKinley who totaled six sacks in his rookie year in 2017 without even being a starter.
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Aside from Bennett’s contributions as a pass rusher, there is a connection with Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who coached Seattle’s defensive line in 2009-10 and was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator from 2013-14.
Quinn helped develop Bennett and the rest of Seattle’s defense into one of the best in the NFL as they had back-to-back Super Bowl appearances with a win in 2013.
Bennett has had the luxury of being on a dominant Seahawks defense over the past five years, but injuries have started to plague some of their brightest stars in defensive backs Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.
Bennett coming to Atlanta would place him in a defense that ranked ninth overall all while relating to what Quinn wants in a defense. Defensive coordinator Marquand Manual helped develop the Falcons’ defense into one of the best that the city of Atlanta has seen in a decade and he would continue to make Bennett a winner.
NFL free agency officially starts on March 14 and that’s when the Falcons would officially let Poe and Shelby walk. The team will also find out if they are able to retain Clayborn.
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Atlanta’s pursuit of Bennett almost makes it certain that Clayborn will not be in a Falcons uniform in 2018. Expect the Falcons to attempt a trade for Bennett when free agency kicks off.