Tag: Dante Fowler

PFF identifies Falcons’ biggest needs after first wave of free agency

Everyone seems to have an opinion as to what the Falcons should prioritize this offseason.

Everyone seems to have an opinion as to what the Falcons should prioritize this offseason. From drafting a would-be franchise quarterback, to picking another edge rusher for the third time since 2015, the options are endless.

Through it all, though, three positions remain as a consistent hindrance to the Falcons’ ability to compete. Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus identified each team’s biggest positional needs after the first major wave of free agency. His biggest areas of need for the Falcons are cornerback, edge rusher and safety.

Treash details the team’s poor cap space and their inability to partner up second-year corner A.J. Terrell with a formidable veteran.

“It’s reasonable to say that Atlanta’s secondary was a liability last season — they ranked fifth-to-last among the 32 secondaries in coverage grade and gave up more 20-plus-yard pass plays than any other group in the league. And given their dire cap situation, the team could do nothing to fix that in free agency.

Atlanta will need to attack the secondary aggressively in the 2021 NFL Draft and hope that A.J. Terrell, who posted a 57.0 coverage grade and allowed 901 yards and five touchdowns in 2020, takes the second-year leap in 2021.”

With a full offseason and a better defensive coordinator, Terrell is expected to make the second-year jump and could bode much better if paired up with another standout option. Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain could both be viable options for the Falcons to consider. This doesn’t solve the team’s problem getting after the quarterback, though.

Dante Fowler, who the Falcons brought in to fix this issue in 2020, took a pay cut for the 2021 season and can earn up to $4 million in incentives if he gets 11 or more sacks this year. Jacob Tuioti-mariner was also re-signed to another Falcons contract through the 2021 season.

While it’s unlikely the Falcons bring in a free agent that could become a game-changer on the defensive line, they could look to address this position in the second round of the draft, or if they trade down in the first round. What works against Atlanta in this draft is the lack of top-tier talent on the edge. There isn’t a pass-rushing prospect worthy of being taken at No. 4 overall.

[lawrence-related id=68184,68552,68543,68533,68499,68230]

[vertical-gallery id=68190]

3 Falcons who could be playing their final season in Atlanta

The Falcons are eyeballing an identity change, and it may happen by parting ways with some of team’s most beloved players.

The Falcons are eyeballing an identity change, and it may happen by parting ways with some of team’s most beloved players. Each franchise has fan favorites, but to see them in another team’s colors can be nauseating. However, sacrifice is oftentimes the cost of doing business.

Considering production, injury history and potential cap savings, here is an early look at three players who could potentially play elsewhere in 2022. This list does not include players playing in a contract year.

PFF lists the Falcons’ three biggest needs for 2021

The Atlanta Falcons have plenty of work to do this offseason, and several needs to fill on both sides of the ball. Pro Football Focus’ Ian Hartitz broke down each team’s three biggest needs.

The Atlanta Falcons have plenty of work to do this offseason, and several needs to fill on both sides of the ball. Pro Football Focus’ Ian Hartitz broke down each team’s three biggest needs.

Let’s check out the three he identified for the Falcons.

EDGE

The lack of a quality edge rusher has been the Achilles heel of this Atlanta defense for quite some time. The Falcons attempted to address this very need in the first round in 2015 and 2017 by drafting Vic Beasley and Takk Mckinley. Both players have since departed from the team. Hartitz pointed out the disastrous Dante Fowler signing.

“High-priced 2020 free agency addition Dante Fowler finished his first season with the Falcon as PFF’s eighth-lowest-graded edge among 124 qualified players. Generating pressure has been a problem for a while now, as the Falcons were a below-average unit in 2020 (19th in pressure rate), 2019 (24th), 2018 (24th) and 2017 (No. 16) alike.”

The Falcons could look to free agency due to there not being a standout option in this year’s draft. However, in order to get a game wrecker on that side of the ball, the Falcons would be expected to pay a hefty price, something they could be very hesitant to do after how underwhelming the Fowler signing turned out.

Defensive secondary

The Falcons finished the 2020 NFL season with the worst ranked pass defense. You would think this unit has nowhere to go but up, but there’s a chance the secondary could be much worse in 2021 if not addressed. As Hartitz points out, Atlanta isn’t spending much money at the cornerback spot.

“The Falcons are one of nine teams with fewer than $20 million 2021 dollars devoted to their safety and cornerback rooms. Only the Lions allowed more total completions of 15-plus yards; talent is needed anywhere and everywhere in this back end.”

Strong safety Keanu Neal will become a free agent on March 17 and Ricardo Allen will likely be let go in order to clear cap space. The departure of both players would leave second-year safety Jaylinn Hawkins as the team’s lone safety.

There is a pathway to clear space and bring in a quality safety like John Johnson or Justin Simmons. Even so, the Falcons could still use their third-round selection to bring in someone like UCF safety Richie Grant.

Running back

With both Brian Hill and Todd Gurley becoming free agents, the Falcons will be left with just Ito Smith on the active roster. The team still has Qadree Ollison on hand but to assume he would have any role after last season is a bit of a stretch. Hartitz points out the many options this year’s draft provides at the running back position.

“Both Todd Gurley and Brian Hill are free agents. Only the Packers, Steelers, Bills and Jets have fewer 2021 dollars devoted to the position. The likes of Travis Etienne (No. 39 on PFF’s top-200 draft big board), Javonte Williams (No. 58), Najee Harris (No. 69), Michael Carter (No. 74) and Kenneth Gainwell (No. 79) could be potential draft-day targets.”

The free agency pool is deep at the running back position as well. Atlanta could go after a veteran like Mark Ingram or Carlos Hyde, or someone looking to return to a lead back role like Marlon Mack or James Conner.

The Falcons could also use their mid-round draft selections to go after potential stars in Michael Carter, Javonte Williams, or Trey Sermon.

[lawrence-related id=66291,66236,66217,65945]

[vertical-gallery id=66147]

Falcons HC critical of Dante Fowler: ‘He hasn’t had his sack numbers’

The Falcons ignored their salary cap woes during the 2020 offseason, doing everything they could to add talent and make one last run at getting back to the Super Bowl.

The Falcons ignored their salary cap woes during the 2020 offseason, doing everything they could to add talent and make one last run at getting back to the Super Bowl. Somehow, Atlanta found a way to sign free-agent DE Dante Fowler Jr. to a three-year, $48 million contract in an effort to fix the team’s anemic pass rush.

Fowler, the third-overall pick back in 2015, was coming off of a career-high 11.5 sacks and 34 pressures with the Rams last season. With just one year of top-level production over his first five NFL seasons, the Falcons took a big risk by signing the 26-year-old to such a lucrative deal.

That risk may already be backfiring on the team, as Fowler has just two sacks and 21 tackles (10 solo) in 2020. Frequently injured this season, the former Florida Gator hasn’t been much of a factor during his 13 games in Atlanta.

Interim coach Raheem Morris wasn’t going to sugarcoat it on Wednesday afternoon, telling the media that Fowler’s first season with the team hasn’t been good enough. As laid out in an article by Falcons beat reporter Kesley Conway, Morris explained why Fowler’s low sack totals are a relevant criticism of the young edge rusher.

“What hasn’t been good enough is he hasn’t had his sack numbers,” Morris said. “In order to play in this profession, you have to be known for something. If you’re going to be known for getting sacks, you have to go out and get sacks and you have to be consistent and you have to be consistent with your effort.”

Sacks tend to be one of the most overrated NFL statistics, but in the case of Fowler, he was signed specifically to be a consistent pass-rushing threat off of the edge. To Fowler’s credit, though, he didn’t dispute Morris’ claims. As shared by Conway on Twitter below, Fowler admitted that he has not played up to his standard this year.

The Falcons have Fowler under contract for two more years, so it’s best the team tries to salvage the situation heading into 2021.

[lawrence-related id=63235,63231,63209,63143,63020]

[vertical-gallery id=63186]

Watch: Teddy Bridgewater takes 2 cheap shots from Falcons on same play

Teddy Bridgewater has been under fire all night from the Falcons defense.

Teddy Bridgewater has been under fire all night from the Falcons defense. They got in a couple of extra cheap shots on this play.

Watch Bridgewater get kicked in the knee by Dante Fowler during a run and then take a late hit to the head by Charles Harris.

That drew a 15-yard penalty and got Harris ejected from the game.

Bridgewater is also out, though. P.J. Walker is in at QB for the Panthers.

[lawrence-related id=630379]

[vertical-gallery id=630291]

2021 NFL Draft order: Ravens move up one spot during bye week

If the NFL season ended today, the Baltimore Ravens would own the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft order.

The Baltimore Ravens are refreshed and ready to take on the world following their Week 7 bye. There is now only one team who has yet to lose, and one team who has yet to win in 2020. For the 30 teams in between, there is still much to play for as the season inches closer to the midpoint.

Sitting at 5-1 on the season, Week 8’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers will not only help define the AFC North landscape for this season but could dramatically alter Baltimore’s standing in the 2020 NFL Draft order. For now, the Ravens still sit near the bottom of the pile, moving up one spot from No. 28 last week to No. 27 this week.

Let’s take a look at the full 2021 NFL Draft order following Week 7, thanks to Draft Wire.

Selection Team Record
1 New York Jets 0-7
2 New York Giants 1-6
3 Jacksonville Jaguars 1-6
4 Atlanta Falcons 1-6
5 Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans) 1-6
6 Minnesota Vikings 1-5
7 Cincinnati Bengals 1-5-1
8 Dallas Cowboys 2-5
9 Washington Football Team 2-5
10 Los Angeles Chargers 2-4
11 New England Patriots 2-4
12 Denver Broncos 2-4
13 Carolina Panthers 3-4
14 Miami Dolphins 3-3
15 Las Vegas Raiders 3-3
16 Detroit Lions 3-3
17 San Francisco 49ers 4-3
18 New Orleans Saints 4-2
19 Philadelphia Eagles 2-4-1
20 Indianapolis Colts 4-2
21 Cleveland Browns 5-2
22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-2
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams) 5-2
24 Buffalo Bills 5-2
25 Chicago Bears 5-2
26 Arizona Cardinals 5-2
27 Baltimore Ravens 5-1
28 Tennessee Titans 5-1
29 New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks) 5-1
30 Kansas City Chiefs 6-1
31 Green Bay Packers 5-1
32 Pittsburgh Steelers 6-0

The Jets still hold the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft as their winless start to the season continues. The Giants are currently set to pick second, with the Jaguars sitting at three.

The Ravens, picking at No. 28 a week ago, now find themselves as the proud owners of the 27th overall pick. They have used this pick once before in their history, and it is fair to say they’ve had their money’s worth out of it. In 2011, the Ravens used the 27th pick of the draft to select cornerback Jimmy Smith. 113 games, 71 pass defenses, and 14 interceptions later, Smith is still a vital cog in the Ravens’ defense.

[vertical-gallery id=52513]

Marlon Davidson returns to practice, James Carpenter out Friday

The Atlanta Falcons got some good news and some bad news at Friday’s practice.

The Atlanta Falcons got some good news and some bad news at Friday’s practice.

Both defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (knee) and center Alex Mack (rest) returned to the field after sitting out on Thursday, while left guard James Carpenter isn’t dressed, according to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Falcons rookie CB A.J. Terrell — who was limited yesterday — is out there as well, but wearing a compression sleeve on his leg.

Terrell has a minor hamstring injury but looks good to go for this weekend’s opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, second-year CB Kendall Sheffield‘s status for Sunday is uncertain, as team reporter William McFadden reports below.

Check back for the injury report following the team’s Friday practice.

[lawrence-related id=57702,57685,57671,57654]

[vertical-gallery id=57651]

Falcons list 6 players on Wednesday’s injury report

The Atlanta Falcons’ first official injury report for their Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks was released on Wednesday and six players, including free-agent defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. were listed.

 

 

Dan Quinn says Falcons DE Dante Fowler has sprained ankle

There was some concern among Falcons fans after Fowler was seen wearing a knee brace while sitting out of Monday’s practice.

The Atlanta Falcons are counting on free-agent defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. to be a difference maker on defense this season, and the early returns from camp have been overwhelmingly positive.

However, there was some concern among Falcons fans after Fowler was seen wearing a knee brace while sitting out of Monday’s practice. According to head coach Dan Quinn, though, Fowler has a sprained ankle, per team reporter Kelsey Conway.

Quinn said Atlanta will be without RB Todd Gurley (rest), OL Alex Mack (rest) and rookie DL Marlon Davidson (knee strain) on Tuesday. Davidson sounds like he’s still a few weeks away from being able to contribute, as tweeted by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure.

Lastly, the Falcons’ other starting defensive end, Takk McKinley, will be limited today as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Check back for more updates after the team’s Tuesday training camp practice.

[lawrence-related id=57262,57255,57182,57250]

[vertical-gallery id=57162]

Dante Fowler grateful for Rams: ‘They allowed me to blossom’

Dante Fowler Jr. had nothing but praise for the Rams on his way out.

The Rams made the bold decision to trade for Dante Fowler Jr. in the middle of the 2018 season, and he helped them make it all the way to the Super Bowl. They re-signed him to a one-year deal, giving him another season to prove himself in the Rams’ scheme.

It worked both for and against the Rams because Fowler had a career year in 2019, recording 11.5 sacks and 16 QB hits. He was a key part of the defense but ultimately priced himself out of the Rams’ range, signing a three-year deal worth $45 million with the Falcons this offseason.

He left Los Angeles a different player than the one we saw coming over from Jacksonville, and he’s grateful for the opportunity the Rams gave him the last season and a half.

“They knew all the good things I could do,” Fowler said this week, via the Associated Press. “They put me in the right situations to be an elite football player. I wasn’t stubborn. Whatever I could do to get the sack and make the team better, that’s what I did. I really appreciate what they did for me. They allowed me to blossom and let this league see what kind of player I can be.”

Fowler had some trouble off the field with the Jaguars, but he was a model citizen in Los Angeles after the Rams traded for him. He credits the veterans in the locker room for helping guide him on the right path.

“I was around a lot of great guys. I saw how they carried himself as pros,” Fowler said.

If his deal with the Rams was considered a “prove-it” contract, he did exactly that by breaking out and earning a huge payday from the Falcons. He admits he still has “some more work to do,” but he proved in Los Angeles he can dominate on the edge and be the double-digit sack player everyone thought he could become out of Florida.