Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. nearing return

The Atlanta Falcons defense may soon be getting some rare good news with Dante Fowler Jr. able to return to practice this week. Coach Arthur Smith wouldn’t rule him out and that leaves the door open for Fowler to return to this defense very soon.

While he has been a disappointment for Atlanta overall he is certainly an upgrade and gives the Atlanta pass rush a boost. He is the only proven edge rusher on the Atlanta defensive roster. He has two sacks so far this season and Atlanta could use him against Dallas or New England who both have solid offensive fronts.

Fowler is a player Atlanta should move off of next season but for now, he is their best edge rusher. Getting him back will be a huge boost one Atlanta could use against the aforementioned offensive lines they are getting ready to face.

The Atlanta Falcons badly need Dante Fowler to muster a pass rush that has been missing so far this season

Fowler when healthy has been the perfect Atlanta almost player, he seems to be always on the cusp of making a big play. Almost making it to the quarterback or almost making the tackle, Fowler has been there but unable to take advantage of the majority of his opportunities.

Atlanta’s standards for a productive edge rusher are increasingly low Adrian Clayborn and Vic Beasley have been their most successful rushers over the last half-decade. Clayborn was in the back half of his career and Beasley was a victim of his own success.

The point here is Fowler doesn’t have to be a great or an elite edge rusher for Atlanta. Rather a capable one who occasionally finds a way to put the opposing quarterback on the turf. If he can do that the Atlanta defense will have a prayer of slowing the opposition down and giving Matt Ryan a chance to continue to win games.

We saw this problem late against the Saints when the Falcons defensive line was gassed. Atlanta was sitting back to avoid the big plays and unable to generate any pressure rushing four. With Fowler and Grady Jarrett soon both on the Atlanta defensive line, this won’t always be the case.

Because of the monster that Grady Jarrett is Fowler is going to get chances. Chances Atlanta needs him to take advantage of in what could be his final season in Atlanta.