Is Falcons defense good enough in NFC South?
The Atlanta Falcons defense widely improved in 2015, going from an awful, hopeless unit in 2014 to something a little more promising the following year.
However, their defense cannot just “improve,” in 2016. It has to be one of the top units in the league if they hope to make the playoffs. Such is life when your division is loaded with offensive stars.
Cam Newton, the reigning NFL MVP and Drew Brees, the NFL’s 2015 passing yards leader have a ton of weapons. In Carolina, Newton has star tight end Greg Olsen plus the return of 2014 rookie sensation Kelvin Benjamin. Jonathan Stewart headlines the dangerous rushing game.
Brees has star wideouts Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, plus talented tight end Coby Fleener and now a rookie 6-foot-2 receiver Michael Thomas. Mark Ingram rounds out a talented back field.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t slouches, either. Jameis Winston should build off a solid rookie season, as he continues to grow with star wide receiver Mike Evans and stud running back, Doug Martin.
Taking all of the firepower the Falcons’ divisional foes have, and you figure their defense will need to be a top-10 unit to challenge for the NFC South. But do they really have the ability to do that?
We know Desmond Trufant’s a sure bet to take away the opponent’s top wideout, but the cornerback depth is thin after him. As for safeties, can rookie Keanu Neal really fit the Kam Chancellor role Dan Quinn wants? Possibly, but not as a first-year. That’s asking for far too much.
Atlanta’s pass-rush/run defense is surely going to get better with their notable free agent signings of Derrick Shelby and Sean Weatherspoon. The potential for the secondary to make this unit elite is there, but if it doesn’t take it to the next level, Atlanta’s defense may once again keep them out of the playoffs.
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