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AAF players the Atlanta Falcons should take a chance on

By Jeff Benedict

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 31: Detail shot of Atlanta Legends helmet before the game against the Birmingham Iron during the Alliance of American Football game at Legion Field on March 31, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - MARCH 31: Detail shot of Atlanta Legends helmet before the game against the Birmingham Iron during the Alliance of American Football game at Legion Field on March 31, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /
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There were plenty of NFL capable players throughout the AAF, however, the Falcons only needs are DL, OL and secondary. Having watched most of the AAF games, I would not touch a single offensive lineman in that league. OL play was beyond terrible and we do not need to bring in any more projects on that side of the ball with a $150 million QB leading this franchise.

The only defensive tackle I believe taking a flyer on from the AAF would be former 49ers defensive tackle Mike Purcell. At 6’3 330lbs he has the size and mobility up front we are looking for, and he would help build depth at a spot where we need it badly. Bringing in a guy like Purcell would not change the draft approach for the Falcons, as we will more than likely still draft a defensive tackle in this month’s NFL draft.

During Purcell’s eight weeks in the Alliance of American Football, Purcell had eight sacks and 14 quarterback hurries. As bad as the OL play was in this league I still find that number to be astonishing. First, it shows that he was dominating the guy in front of him in one on one situations (remember you could only rush five) and secondly that is a lot production in a new league and system that did not give its players a lot of time to become game ready.

Adding Purcell to the likes of Jack Crawford, Michael Bennett, Grady Jarrett, Deadrin Senat and Justin Zimmer will add another guy in his mid 20’s with his football future in front of him. He also does not have the baggage that other guys in the AAF have, and would be a guy that would fit right into the brotherhood and pass the “Falcons filter” test.

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