Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the Carolina Panthers in the 2nd half during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Terrell McClain #97, Matthew Ioannidis #98 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskins wait in the tunnel before taking the field to play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

4. Terrell McClain, DE (from Washington Redskins)

For some, putting three-year pro Vic Beasley on this list of top offseason additions may be considered a clever move. In all honestly, that is one big stretch. But the real point is that the eighth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft is switching positions once again.

The former University of Clemson standout began his pro career as a defensive end, made to move to outside linebacker (totaling a league-best 15.5 sacks in 2016) and now returns to the defensive front. He comes off a year in which he played in only 14 games, totaling just 29 stops and five sacks. But the Falcons could certainly use him along the four-man front.

Dan Quinn’s club has steadily increased its sack total in recent campaigns. Atlanta totaled just 19 QB traps in 2015, upped that figure to 34 one year later and this past season finished with 39 sacks. But a closer look at the numbers shows that eight of those came in a Week 10 encounter with the Dallas Cowboys. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn, now a member of the New England Patriots, had six sacks that afternoon.

Hence the addition of veteran Terrell McClain. He joins his sixth NFL team in eight years but has played in numerous schemes during his career and can add depth anywhere along the defensive front.

Next: No. 3

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