The Atlanta Falcons need to get Grady Jarrett a running mate

The Atlanta Falcons need to find Grady Jarrett a legitimate running mate.

It’s no secret the Atlanta Falcons need to improve their defensive line but so much focus lately has been on the edge.

Over the past few years, the Falcons have tried to solve their edge problems with Vic Beasley, Takk McKinley, Dante Fowler, and Brooks Reed, none of those people have panned out.

The Falcons cut McKinley and let Beasley walk. That’s two first-round picks that couldn’t provide the answer to the Atlanta Falcons low sack totals and lack of pressure.

But they have failed to build around their best player on defense: Grady Jarrett.

He has had to play alongside Jonathan Babineaux, Dontari Poe, Tyeler Davison, Ra’Shede Hageman, and people still can’t figure out why Deadrin Senat isn’t getting playing time. The Falcons drafted Marlon Davidson but he appeared in eight games and accounted for all of eight tackles.

Grady Jarrett is easily a top-five defensive tackle in the NFL.

He has been in the league for six years and has missed just three games at one of the most physical positions in the game. Jarrett has shown he can get pressure on the quarterbacks. If the ends can’t get to the quarterback which has been a theme in Atlanta for years, then get pressure on the middle to flush the quarterback and trust them to be able to make a tackle.

The Falcons have prided themselves on the sideline to sideline speed. If that’s the case, give somebody who can take some of the attention off Jarrett and allow him to continue to dominate. Atlanta would be smart to go after a guy like Kawann Short who they know all too well – at least Matt Ryan does.

He’s 32 but has proven to be an effective run stopper. If anything, shoring up the middle of the defensive line keeps linemen off Deion Jones and the smaller linebackers.

The Falcons can also look at a guy like Sheldon Rankins who might be a little cheaper but will help sure up an obvious hole in the defensive line. They have to commit to what type of team they want to be on defense and if they want to play fast and small in the secondary, the defensive line has to get bigger.

Don’t be surprised if Arthur Smith goes after his former player DaQuan Jones either.

He played in all 16 games last year and accounted for 49 tackles and two sacks. That’s production just a hair off of what Grady Jarrett did and he’s younger and could be cheaper than Kawann Short.

If the Atlanta Falcons are serious about improving their defense, get Grady Jarrett a running mate and commit to the interior.