The NFC South is not a particularly strong division. Last season it was wide open for the taking, but the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers all seemed to want no part of it. The division winner finished below .500 and the division can again be described as wide open heading into 2015.
2015 NFL depth charts: Falcons address pass rush woes in draft
The Atlanta Falcons had a miserable pass rush last season, but addressed the position in a big way in the NFL Draft.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
One of those teams simply has to rise up and take it. All four teams in the division have some solid players though, so taking it won't necessarily be easy. The Falcons have been preparing for a run at the division crown with a new head coach and reloaded roster. Dan Quinn will attempt to create an improved defense with Drew Brees, Cam Newton and now Jameis Winston quarterbacking his divisional rivals.
Only the Cincinnati Bengals had fewer sacks than the Falcons last season. After multiple seasons of being desperate for help in that area, the Falcons took serious steps to fix it this offseason, signing guys like O'Brien Schofield and Adrian Clayborn to one-year deals. They also brought in Brooks Reed on a five-year contract worth $22.5 million.
Free agency was a help, but the Falcons really hit it big in the NFL Draft. Most draft experts agree the Falcons had an excellent draft haul and many of the new additions should push veterans for playing time. Below, we'll take a look at three positions worth paying attention to heading into training camp.
Outside linebacker
Atlanta drew positive reviews from draft experts, and a big part of that is the selection of Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley. While many mock drafts had Beasley going to the Falcons in this spot, few actually believed he’d be available once the actual pick rolled around. He was and Atlanta gladly took him. Schofield is penciled in at one spot locked down while Beasley should immediately step into the other.
Stansly Maponga is the guy who will be affected the most by Beasley's selection. There will likely be some kind of competition, which Beasley is nearly guaranteed to win, and the Clemson rusher should be a Day 1 starter in Quinn's defense. The team managed just 22 sacks last season, and could easily clear that mark if Beasley is as good as advertised.
Running back
If Beasley was Atlanta's best pick, then Indiana running back Tevin Coleman is easily second-best. The Falcons didn't get much return on veteran Steven Jackson, and heading into this offseason Devonta Freeman was the top running back on the depth chart. Freeman finished last season with 65 carries for 248 yards and a touchdown.
Coleman is one of the most talented running backs in a draft class that is incredibly deep at the position. Most believe that he, if healthy, can immediately split carries with Freeman and smart money is on him becoming the full-time starter sooner than later. He has a much higher ceiling than Freeman and projects as a productive rookie.
Defensive line
If we’re talking about draft steals, then that conversation starts and ends with Clemson defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. He got overshadowed by Beasley, but Jarrett was expected to go much higher than he did. Atlanta wound up using the No. 137 overall pick on Jarrett and he has a ceiling as high as anyone in this year’s rookie class.
Jarrett had a second-round grade from many outlets and was a productive player in college. Pairing him alongside Beasley should provide pretty interesting results, especially when it comes to rushing the passer. Initially, he may have to deal with playing behind Jonathan Babineaux, but trying to find a place for an outstanding rookie is always a good problem to have.
See More:
