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Atlanta Falcons: Justin Durant and Brooks Reed pass-rusher solution?

By Freddie Boston

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The Atlanta Falcons have been busy at the start of the free agency period. With pass-rushing help needed, are Justin Durant and Brooks Reeds the solution?

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Durant heads to Atlanta after spending the last two years with the Dallas Cowboys. His 2014 season came to an abrupt end when he tore his bicep in a game against the Washington Redskins.

Only playing six games, Durant registered 49 tackles, two forced fumbles but went without a sack. In fact, his last career sack was in 2012 when he played for the Detroit Lions–according to ESPN Stats.

The main concern for the Falcons with Durant is his health after missing 16 games in his two years with the Cowboys. He has only featured in all 16 regular season games of a season once in his eight-year career (2012).

Injury worries aside, Durant is an athletic player who is expected to line up as a weak side linebacker. He is a smart player and will provide valuable experience to the team.

Oct 19, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Justin Durant (52) in game action against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Dallas beat New York 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

While he can be a productive player for the Falcons, is he really going to significantly bolster their pass-rush?

For a team that ranked 30th in sacks last year with just 22, Durant’s numbers won’t encourage the Falcons.

In eight seasons, he has totalled just 3.5 sacks. Since 2010, he’s managed just 1.5.

What he does have is speed and great instincts. Durant is a talented and versatile player for the team, and new head coach Dan Quinn will be able to get the best out of him.

Durant will be good value for the Falcons and will add quality depth to the linebacker corps that desperately needs it. He will be a solid contributor on a rebuilding defense.

Former Houston Texans linebacker Brooks Reed is a little bit more expensive. Reed joined the Falcons on a 5-year, $22 million deal. Reed is another player that will fit in to the Quinn scheme and will likely start at strong side linebacker.

Reed is very athletic and will bring a lot to the run-defense. He can also drop into coverage which makes him an important player on all three downs.

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Brooks Reed (58) during the game against the Washington Redskins at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Reed is capable of making sacks, but he shouldn’t be relied upon to give the Falcons the pass-rush they desperately need. In his four NFL seasons with the Texans, Reed recorded 14.5 sacks.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Reed believes he can improve this area of his game:

"“I know I can improve my pass-rushing game,” Reed said. “Being in a clean slate with new coaches, I think it will be a little bit different.”“I do have a lot of experience and I know the stats haven’t shown for it in the past but I’m working hard every day to get better. He’s (Dan Quinn) going to put us in the best possible position to succeed. It’s a defense for the players to get to the quarterback and move him off the spot.”"

The Falcons are looking to rebuild on defense under Quinn. While these two players aren’t going to transform the team into a pass-stopping powerhouse, they are certainly valuable assets to begin the rebuild.

Durant and Reed will bring plenty of experience along with them, and this will help a young linebacker corps improve their game.

It would be a surprise if they were the only linebacker additions to the Falcons this offseason. With the eighth overall-pick in next month’s draft, they will have a good chance to bring in a dominant pass-rusher to pair with the experience they have brought in through free agency.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: Seven-Round Mock Draft

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