Atlanta Falcons: three moves to make after the Keanu Neal injury

Sign Johnathan Hankins

The Falcons lost Dontari Poe and Courtney Upshaw to free agency. Coming into the season, it looked as if the Falcons were going to go with a heavy rotation of defensive tackles. However, there were times the against the Eagles, that the defensive line created no pass rush at all. Not only that, the defense was visibly gassed at certain points.

Defensively, the Falcons need bodies. They were dropping left and right in Philadelphia. They’re already a man down in the secondary. To help the secondary out, why not sign another pass rusher? It helps everyone. It can help certain defensive lineman get breathers and if Hankins can be somewhat productive, that can help ease the transition for whoever is placed in Keanu Neal’s spot.

I’d argue Hankins is a poor man’s Dontari Poe. At 6’2, 325 pounds, Hankins can eat up space in the middle, help stuff the run and would be a great compliment next to Grady Jarrett. He’d be able to do all those things while letting other defensive tackles take a break. This would be a low-cost move for the Falcons that could help the defense greatly. It may be up to the defense to carry this team. The Falcons need to keep a deep rotation and keep their defense fresh.