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NFL 2018: Every team’s biggest training camp battle

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NFL 2018
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 03: Terrell McClain #97 of the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game on September 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons: Defensive Tackle

Grady Jarrett has one of the positions locked down for the Atlanta Falcons, but next to him is somewhat up in the air. There’s newcomer Terell McClain, who had some great seasons in Dallas, but was an absolute bust for the Washington Redskins last year.

He was released one season into his multi-year deal and landed with the Dirty Birds following that early exit. He had attracted attention from other teams, including the Cowboys, but chose to take a one-year deal with the Falcons.

There’s no guarantee he will win the starting job though. Fighting for time next to him will be Jack Crawford and Deadrin Senat. Crawford and McClain know each other well as both were part of the Dallas Cowboys together and Crawford had hoped to capitalize on the potential he showed in Big D with more snaps in Atlanta. That never happened as a bicep injury cost him most of his season.

As for Senat, he’s a bit undersized, but showed enough at USF to get Atlanta to spend a third-round pick on him. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him become the full-time answer for them at the second D-tackle position, but the question is how early does he take that job.

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