Four players who should see more snaps for the Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have had a lot of hurdles throughout this season. They have consistently been playing around with their active roster and have had to experiment with different players.
Much of this is due to injury but some of it has had to do with poor play. Early in the year players like Albert Huggins, Mack Hollins, and Mike Hughes were playing but they quickly saw their snap count decrease as the weeks rolled on.
The coaching staff has not been complacent and they should continue that trend by playing these four players more as they continue to push for the playoffs.
1. KhaDarel Hodge, WR
Early in the season, it appeared like Mack Hollins was going to be the number-two receiver but since his sideline outburst in London, his snaps have steadily decreased. One of those players who have eaten into his snaps is KhaDarel Hodge.
Hodge should continue to get even more snaps because he has been effective. Taylor Heinicke was able to connect with him numerous times on Sunday. On one play in particular, Hodge turned a medium gain into a long gain by breaking some tackles. He is making plays so he deserves to be a featured receiver.
2. Zach Harrison, DL
With Grady Jarrett going down with a season-ending injury, the rookie Zach Harrison is bound to see his snap count go up. But even if Grady wasn't injured, Harrison would still deserve more snaps.
There have been growing pains for the mid-round pick but he has flashed what he was supposed to be in college at Ohio State. He has shown that he can hold up to the strength of the NFL by pushing back blockers routinely.
He was a good run defender in college and that has also been the case in the NFL. He also has the talent to find himself hitting the quarterback routinely. His length and quickness are elite and the Falcons need to take advantage of it.
3. Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE
The edge position has gone through another rough season for the Atlanta Falcons. Bud Dupree has been the only one who has seen consistent snaps and been able to get the occasional pressure on quarterbacks.
Arnold Ebiketie just hasn't been given enough opportunities to get after the quarterback. The second-year player has only rushed the passer 75 times and dropped into coverage 44 times. It is weird why the Falcons have started using him as an off-ball linebacker.
Ebiketie has shown flashes of some pretty dominant moves off the edge. The consistency hasn't been there for sure but the same can be said for everyone else at the position. He is the most talented player at a position that has done next to nothing.
4. DeMarcco Hellams, S
I firmly believe that rookie safety DeMarcco Hellams should be eating into Richie Grants' snaps. Hellams has found himself on the field but Grant has played every single snap this season.
Grant has been a maddening player quite honestly; he has given up way too many big plays while Hellams made some big plays in the preseason (sure, it was just the preseason).
While I am not saying that Grant should be benched at this point, I am saying Hellams should at least get a shot in his place at points during the game. Jessie Bates III clearly should be playing every single snap he can considering he has been the best in the game.
Hellams is promising and should be used more than he has been—simple as that.