4 Players That Need To Step Up For Atlanta Falcons This Season

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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 23: Vic Beasley Jr. #44 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts to a sack during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

3. Vic Beasley

Oh, Vic Beasley. The frustrating defensive end has been a hard case to read. One season, he’s leading the NFL in sacks. The other three seasons, Beasley can’t get more than 5 sacks in an entire season. It’s troubling and even more frustrating.

The Falcons made it official in the offseason when the picked up Beasley’s fifth-year option on his contract that will pay him 13 million dollars this season. The Falcons are taking a chance and spending a lot of money on a player that they have no idea what they are getting in return. Beasley could be great like he was in 2015. Or, it could be much of the same, like his other three seasons when he didn’t sack the QB more than 5 times.

It’s hard to know what to expect from Beasley going into next season. I think most fans have little to no expectations about what he will do this season. But if Vic does turn it back on and has a great season, both parties will win. Beasley would get his next big contract, a contract which is no promised to him until he can prove that he can rush the passer consistently. The Falcons defense would be so much better too if Beasley can put together a decent season. Beasley can record 8-12 sacks, and I think the Falcons, and most Falcons fans, would be ecstatic.

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