Atlanta Falcons Need Vic Beasley Jr. to Bounce Back in 2018
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Falcons will need Vic Beasley Jr. more than ever in an ever-improving NFC. Beasley is coming off of a disappointing year, one he must improve on if the Falcons want to get back to THE game.
Atlanta Falcon’s defensive end and linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. is coming off of a disappointing season. A year after leading the NFL with 15.5 sacks, Beasley only got to the quarterback 5 times. His inability to get to the quarterback is due in part to a position change.
Beasley spent far more time at linebacker then he did the year before. During games, Beasley often would disappear entirely a year after leaping off of the screen every Sunday. This season will be different as the Falcons have already announced he will go back to playing defensive end.
Coming off the edge or spinning inside on a stunt is where Beasley reeks havoc and is best used. Another area that Beasley must improve is forced fumbles. A year after forcing six turnovers Beasley only forced a single fumble in the 2017 season.
The Falcons are dealing with an ever-improving NFC conference in debatably the best division in the NFL. For the Falcons to return to the Super Bowl everything has to fall their way.
Finding a pass rush in 2018 will be huge after losing Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn. Vic Beasley has to go back to the 2017 version of himself if the Falcons want to return to the Super Bowl.
Beasley again has to become a dynamic pass rusher, one who disrupts the rhythm of the offense. If that happens the Falcon’s young defense will be just as good in 2018, if not better.
If not, the Falcons pass rush is going to be in big trouble with few other proven pass rushers on the team.
Takk Mckinley is another pass rusher who must improve in 2017 and help contribute to an iffy pass rush.
Addressing the defensive line in the draft is likely considering the current lack of depth. Takk Mckinley, Grady Jarrett, and a draft pick are likely to make up the rest of the starting lineup with Beasley.
Beasley is the biggest deciding factor in what type of season the line will have. If he succeeds in recapturing his 2016 form there will be little stopping what could be a dynamic line.
If not, double-teaming Grady Jarret and blocking the rest of the line will be borderline easy for opponents barring the emergence of another pass rushing threat.
Vic Beasley is the biggest question mark in the Falcon’s starting lineup. A question mark that the Falcons need to bounce back this season. A season that sees Beasley again causing havoc in the backfield and most importantly getting to the quarterback.