Atlanta Falcons: 3 Most underrated players coming into 2019
By Derek Snyder
3. Foye Oluokun, LB
If you aren’t a Falcons fan and yet still know this man’s name, you’re clearly well in tune with the entire NFL.
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Coming from the football powerhouse of Yale University, Foye Oluokun was drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft after not playing in any collegiate all-star game or competing at the 2018 NFL Combine. In typical Falcons fashion, they drafted a very raw, but talented football player who no one else had on their draft boards.
Not many folks expected Oluokun to log many minutes in 2018, but that changed after Deion Jones went on Injured Reserve after Week 1. From there on out, the former Yale standout was thrown into the mix at middle linebacker and expected to compete.
Needless to say, Oluokun went through his own share of struggles, but ultimately played a huge role in helping the Falcons fight back to a 7-9 record after starting the year 1-4.
Playing in all 16 games, Oluokun finished second on the team in total tackles and finished with one forced fumble. He may not be a Jones-level talent, but he sure is going to be valuable in 2019 when the Falcons linebacking core is 100 percent healthy.
Sometimes, teams get stronger when they’re forced to play guys who aren’t ready and I wouldn’t be surprised to see that benefit Oluokon greatly in 2019 and beyond.