4 Atlanta Falcons who must step up against the Saints in week one

4. Arnold Ebiketie

Ignore what the depth chart might say, Arnold Ebiketie is going to get plenty of chances in this game. As the second edge rusher behind Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Ebiketie won’t start this game but he will be used as a rotational edge rusher for the Falcons.  A role in which Ebiketie will prove to be Atlanta’s best pass rusher and the threat to the quarterback the team lacked last season.

Everything about Ebiketie’s preseason was impressive from his motor to his pass rushing moves and willingness to chase the play. Arnold isn’t going to have a problem quickly carving out a starting role on this team and that starts week one against the Saints.

For Atlanta to have a chance in this game they need to fluster Jameis and force him to make the mistake Winston made so often in Tampa against Atlanta. While there are a number of defensive line and outside linebacker additions you could pinpoint as key to Atlanta’s success in week one Arnold Ebiketie is the right answer.

His impact on this team is going to be felt early on as the edge rusher the Atlanta Falcons have been trying so desperately to find for much of the last decade.