While the Atlanta Falcons took Calvin Ridley in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, he might not be their most impactful rookie this season.
When you think “impact rookies” on the Atlanta Falcons roster, your first thought (for good reason) is almost certainly about Calvin Ridley. While Ridley may have the best statistical season of any offensive rookie in the NFL, there may be a rookie on the other side of the ball in Atlanta that impacts the team in an even bigger way.
Deadrin Senat, the 6-1, 314-pound defensive tackle selected by the Falcons in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft, will be called on to fill some big(pun intended) shoes from day one in camp this summer.
With the departure of veteran inside run-stuffer Dontari Poe to conference foe Carolina the need to find an anchoring presence opposite Grady Jarret is an immediate one. At South Florida, Senat was a very productive player, amassing 7.5 more tackles for loss than the highest rated defensive tackle in the draft, Vita Vea, in two fewer games.
When you think back to the great Seattle defenses of recent memory, particularly the team that made back-to-back Super Bowl runs in 2013 and 2014, they were built around Dan Quinn’s 4-3 under defense. Specifically along the front line, you need four players that can create pressure on the quarterback.
Several teams have adopted this philosophy recently with success. Obviously the Falcons having the head coach that was the signal caller for those aforementioned defenses are one such team. Last year, Quinn’s defense hit its stride, propelling the Falcons into the top 10 in points against for the first time since 2012.
Adding Senat through the draft this year could be the final step in getting the front four solidified. Undoubtably there will be competition from recently acquired veteran Terrell McClain for first team reps, but I am giving the edge to the young legs and undeniable drive that Senat brings from overcoming some devastating personal tragedies early in his life.
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The more noticeable stats and accompanying accolades will likely go to Ridley this year. However, in the darkness of the coaches offices as they study game film, I think Senat will have the biggest impact.