Atlanta Falcons: 5 Offseason moves to make to improve in 2021

3. Add an edge rusher to the defensive line

One of the biggest needs this offseason for Atlanta comes on the defensive side of the ball and specifically at edge rusher.

A sesason ago, the Falcons defense took some steps in the right direction and improved to some extent following a rough showing the year prior. Yet, Atlanta still struggled on that side of the ball and even gave up some large leads in games it should have won.

Part of fixing those issues on defense come on the defensive line and at edge rusher to counter the likes of Dante Fowler Jr. — who the team signed last offseason and had a solid 2020 campaign — and Allen Bailey.

The problem is that there’s not a likely top five player or a huge difference maker available at defensive end this offseason, meaning the Falcons will have to think carefully about how they want to address that position moving forward.

Atlanta might end up taking a defensive end with one of its draft picks following the first round, which could eventually develop into a long-term answer at the position. That is the most likely outcome rather than the team making a trade or luring in a free agent available this offseason.

There are a lot of holes on the defense that the new Falcons regime will have to address before the start of the 2021 campaign, but one of the biggest needs comes at edge rusher and being able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.