Last year, the narrative around the Atlanta Falcons began to spread that they were soft. From a 6-1 start, the Falcons proved fraudulent with a 2-7 finish. A lot of blame got put on head coach Dan Quinn, but let’s get real, it was his first year. The former Seahawks defensive coordinator may have taken one year of 8-8 football to get there, but in year two, Dan Quinn has shown that he has already rebuilt the Atlanta Falcons defense. The best part is he has done it mainly through the draft.
Dan Quinn Rebuilt Atlanta Falcons Defense
2015 Draft
Vic Beasley
Dan Quinn has shown his intentions of building a defense through the draft and hit that unit early and often. His first pick was Vic Beasley at eighth overall. Similar to Quinn, some were disappointed in his rookie season. He is not much of a disappointment now, as he shifted roles a bit and essentially plays strong side linebacker. He is a monster off of the edge, and increased his sack total from four in 2015 to 9.5 this season with five games to play. He is also a threat to drop into coverage and is a great lateral defender. All that said, he is a major upgrade in the defense from the 2015 bunch in both areas of the game.
Jalen Collins
In the second round, at pick 42, the Falcons kept at it with Jalen Collins. Collins, even more than Beasley, had brought on skeptics after a rookie year that saw just two starts. This year, he is coming off of surgery and was suspended four games. However, he now has five starts for the Falcons, and with Desmond Trufant down to injury, will be a big factor for this team moving forward.
Collins has been picked on a bit since his return to the lineup. He has shown some downs, but we have also seen why he was a second-round pick with his ups and he may be end up as a quality starter in Atlanta behind Trufant.
Grady Jarrett
This is the biggest impact pick by Quinn and the Falcons. At pick 137, the Falcons grabbed a big defensive tackle from Clemson who will be a foundation piece of the defense for years to come. Jarrett has nine starts this season and is arguably the Falcons best defensive lineman. He has 2.5 sacks, but his real value is disruption. He is always owning with leverage and is a clear run stopper moving forward. Adding talent on the edge, at corner and in the middle of the line was a great start to building the defense.
2016 Draft
Keanu Neal
After a season of being called soft and having growing pains, Quinn and the gang went right back to the defense in the draft. With pick 17, the Falcons took safety Keanu Neal from Florida. Neal drew comparisons to Kam Chancellor, who played in the Quinn defense, and it was rightfully so. Neal can pack a punch in a similar way to Chancellor. Neal has started in nine games and with 72 tackles is a presence against the run and pass.
Deion Jones
In the second round, the Falcons got their rangy middle linebacker, Deion Jones. Jones was a second-round pick, going 52nd overall and though he fell in the draft due to his size, this kid could always play football. He has eight starts this season, and when he is on the field, you see him near the ball. He has 67 tackles, has defended five passes and has a pick six to go along with another interception. For his size he is a great run defender, and has been playing his best football as of late.
De’Vondre Campbell
Campbell, a fourth-round pick, and the 115th pick overall in 2016, is the sixth starter that Quinn has drafted in the past two season. Campbell has started six games, and has come on as of late, but like the rest looks to be a strong starter in the NFL. Campbell is solid in coverage and in following tight ends around. He has 37 tackles, five passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble in his time on the field. With Jones and Campbell next to each other, the linebacker group is a completely different unit from the season before.
The Falcons have taken a step forward from last year, and a lot of credit has gone to Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the offense. However, arguably the biggest difference from 2015 is the spark that can be created by the defense. To have six starters making impact plays, all within their first two years should draw nothing but praise for Dan Quinn and his ability to draft as a head coach. The Falcons may be here to stay, and contrary to popular belief, it will be because of the defense.
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