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Atlanta Falcons: Top Five Players Who Must Be Better in 2018

By Kit Anderson

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons awaits the snap against the Chicago Bears during the season opening game at Soldier Field on September 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Falcons defeated the Bears 23-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons awaits the snap against the Chicago Bears during the season opening game at Soldier Field on September 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Falcons defeated the Bears 23-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Vic Beasley Jr. #44 of the Atlanta Falcons walks out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Vic Beasley Jr. #44 of the Atlanta Falcons walks out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3. Vic Beasley Jr. Has to Again Become the Monster He was in 2016 

During the Atlanta Falcon’s 2016 run to the Super Bowl, many pieces had to fall perfectly into place. Few people talk about how big Beasley was in that run. Watching him play that season was unreal.

He demanded double teams and used quickness and moves we hadn’t seen from him before. He finished the year with 15.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles including a very memorable one against the Rams.

Watching him in the playoffs he wasn’t as dynamic but still had an impact pushing the pocket. Fast forward to the 2017 season and I am wasn’t sure if Beasley even still played for the Falcons.

Hyperbole aside, Beasley disappeared on the screen almost every Sunday. He registered five sacks in 14 games and didn’t look anything like the player he was in the 2016 season.

One of the first things I will be watching for in the 2018 season is to see if Beasley reappears on the Falcon’s defense. Was 2016 the outlier year or can Beasley bounce back?  If he can find a way to play the way he did in 2016 he could again become one of the best pass rushers in the game.

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