Atlanta Falcons: 3 Early breakout candidates on defense for 2020

2. Dante Fowler Jr.

One of the biggest moves of the offseason for the Falcons came at the edge rusher spot when the team went out and brought defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. via free agency.

After being heavily linked to Atlanta throughout the offseason while hitting the open market, Fowler, agreed to join the Falcons to jump into a starting role in a position that was also suddenly a great need on defense.

Fowler, who is still young while turning 26 years old in August, has spent four seasons in the NFL and most recently spent the last year-plus with the Los Angeles Rams. During the 2019 campaign, he ended the season with nearly 60 combined tackles, 40 solo tackles, 11.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

After the departure of veteran Vic Beasley among the Falcons defense this offseason, Fowler should step into a starting job while being familiar with Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn and his system from their days back at the University of Florida.

Fowler has had somewhat of a slow and rough start to his NFL career after being taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 3 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. The change of scenery in Los Angeles proved to help Fowler continue to take the right steps to advance his career, and the Falcons are hoping that continues with another change of scenery this season.

With Fowler now one of the key faces of the defense and the defensive line in Atlanta, he could have a breakout campaign during his inaugural year with the Falcons.