3 free agents the Atlanta Falcons could still pursue

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Carlos Dunlap II #8 of the Seattle Seahawks walks onto the field prior the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3 of 3

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 26: Nick Foles #9 of the Chicago Bears is pressured by Carlos Dunlap #8 of the Seattle Seahawks as he attempts to throw the ball during the third quarter at Lumen Field on December 26, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons target no. 1: DE Carlos Dunlap (Released by Seattle Seahawks)

The term “pass rush” is made up of two four-letter words. And that’s somewhat appropriate considering the Atlanta Falcons have had a frustrating time mastering this aspect of the game of football.

You have to go all the way back to the 2004 season to find the last time this franchise finished with at least 40 sacks in a season.

This past season, the club finished dead last in quarterback traps – finishing with a dismal 18 sacks in 17 contests. That’s 4.5 fewer than Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebacker and NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt (22.5).

It was also fewer than Chicago Bears’ edge-rusher Robert Quinn (18.5). Atlanta’s top sack artist in 2021 was Dante Fowler Jr. (4.0), now a member of the Dallas Cowboys.

It would not hurt if the team took a shot at adding 12-year veteran Carlos Dunlap, who knows a little something about corralling opposing quarterbacks. He played in all 17 games with the Seahawks this past season and paced Pete Carroll’s club with 8.5 quarterback traps.

The two-time Pro Bowler, who began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, has racked up 96.0 sacks in a dozen NFL campaigns.

Home/Atlanta Falcons