With the eighth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons have selected defensive end/outside linebacker Vic Beasley of Clemson. Beasley is one of the best edge rushers in this year's draft and should be able to step right into a starting role.
NFL Draft results 2015: Vic Beasley selected by Falcons
Beasley should be able to step into a starting role and make life miserable for quarterbacks in 2015.
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Beasley was impressive at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, turning heads and establishing himself as one of the draft's top prospects. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, put up 35 reps in the bench press and had a 41-inch vertical. At Clemson, he had the college stats to back up his excellent measurements.
In four seasons at Clemson Beasley totaled 33 sacks, 29 quarterback pressures, seven forced fumbles, 11 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, two touchdowns and 52.5 tackles for loss. He primarily does one thing but he does that one thing well: hit quarterbacks before they can throw the football.
Beasley was a first-team All-ACC player two straight years and a consensus All-American in 2013. He’s got more speed and burst than the other top pass rushers in this year’s draft, such as Randy Gregory and Shane Ray. Beasley has been knocked for being relatively small among players at his position and he’s not the best at shedding blocks, which is why many had Gregory and Ray as higher-rated prospects. Beasley, though, is one of the most capable defensive players in this draft.
New head coach Dan Quinn has a tall order in fixing the Falcons 32nd-ranked defense from a season ago, and that task begins with this selection. Beasley will be the one of the cornerstones looked upon to bring a pass rush to Atlanta, a team that allowed more passing yards than any other in 2014.
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