Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons: Three players the franchise can’t afford to opt-out in 2020

By Jeff Benedict

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (not pictured) and returning it for a touchdown to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-22 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after intercepting Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (not pictured) and returning it for a touchdown to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28-22 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Atlanta Falcons
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 01: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals drops back ahead of defensive end Dante Fowler #56 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Dante Fowler Jr

We have no idea which Dante Fowler the Atlanta Falcons are getting in 2020. Will they get the 2019 version that had 11.5 sacks or will they get the draft bust that the Jaguars were happy to trade to the Rams?

The Atlanta Falcons are obviously hoping that they get the 2019 version and that playing next to another dominant defensive tackle like he had in LA will help facilitate that success.

Fowler was brought in here to help resurrect a Falcons defensive line that has not produced much of anything over the last decade. He was brought in to help the Falcons defense get to 40 sacks for the first time since 2004 and to help take some pressure off of Grady Jarrett on the defensive line. As disruptive as Jarrett is, he has not gotten many opportunities to face anything less than a double team because opposing teams haven’t had to focus on anyone else.

If Fowler decides to opt-out in 2020, it would be no different than if Ryan, Julio, Jarrett, Mack or Deion Jones, the Falcons would be unable to replace him and it would leave a huge void on the defense and would be a big hole in the scheme that Morris has planned for 2020.

Next. Falcons could be without a major contributor in 2020. dark

Of course, these guys are human like the rest of us and it is understandable should they decide to opt-out but from a football standpoint, it would leave the Falcons in a world of hurt for 2020.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News