Predicting the Atlanta Falcons defensive starters for 2022

Will we see improvements in the Atlanta Falcons defense in 2022?

The Atlanta Falcons defense played about how everyone thought they would last season, and that is not a good thing.

They had their moments but those moments usually came against bad offenses like the Lions (without Jared Goff), Panthers, Giants, and Jaguars. Those are offenses that you should be dominating.

They allowed 30 or more points seven times last season, that has got to change, especially with an offense that has a lot of unknowns.

The key will be getting pressure on the opposition. 18 sacks in 17 games is unacceptable, Dean Pees knows that and should have this group playing at least a little bit better.

Let’s look at the players who will be trying to improve this Falcons’ defense:

Atlanta Falcons’ projected starters on the defensive side of the ball:

The starting safeties for the Atlanta Falcons when the season begins

• S1: Richie Grant
• S2: Jaylinn Hawkins

Last season the Falcons started their two veteran safeties for most of the season — those being Duron Harmon who is now in Las Vegas and Erik Harris — but there is reason to think that will change in 2022.

This year they are seemingly more willing to roll with the young guys, and that is the right decision. Erik Harris is not the future, Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins could be.

Richie Grant was thrust into playing a lot of slot corner last season due to injury. He needs to be playing primarily safety, that is what he was drafted for. Just because you start him there doesn’t mean you can’t move him around in certain situations. He has also been looking extremely impressive in training camp.

Jaylinn Hawkins was a rare ball hawk for the Falcons last season, sort of,d and he forced the coaching staff into playing him more. We need to figure out this year if he can become a long-term starter.