Atlanta Falcons will be counting on Mykal Walker this season

The Atlanta Falcons were already counting on Mykal Walker to step up this season before the news of Deion Jones’ off-season injury emerged. With Deion’s availability to start the season murky at best Walker will likely be given an even larger role this off-season.

In limited appearances, Walker has been great for Atlanta. The few times he was on the field he managed to stand out finding a way to make a play on a defense that rarely finds a way to make an impact play.

Walker’s most memorable play came against the Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton with Walker returning an interception for a touchdown in what was the best moment of his career thus far.

Atlanta has spent the last four seasons counting on Foye Oluokun and Deion Jones to man the middle of the defense. Foye signed with the Jaguars this off-season while Jones will be coming off of an injury after dealing with a season of regression.

Jones struggled last season and didn’t appear to be close to the same player he had been for Atlanta. Even if Jones is able to quickly return the Falcons cannot count on Deion being the same player.

Rookies Arnold Ebiketie and Troy Anderson will likely be given large roles as well this off-season. Ebiketie will be primarily an edge rusher for a team desperate to find any type of pass rush.

Anderson and Ebiketie will be used to help remedy this issue while Walker will primarily be manning the middle of the field.

Mykal Walker is entering his third year in the league in what will be his first real chance at winning a starting role. He will likely be competing with veteran Nick Kwiatkoski yet another former Chicago Bear Atlanta brought in this off-season for depth.  Kwiatkoski is entering his seventh season in the league and unless Walker struggles is unlikely to earn a starting role with Atlanta.