3. Double down on pass-rushers in free agency
With just 21 sacks in the 2022 season and 18 in 2021, Quarterbacks sat comfortably in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons. Needless to say, the Dirty Birds desperately need a defensive boost. One guy that makes sense is 49ers edge rusher Samson Ebukam.
At first glance, Ebukam isn’t a big named player, but he played an important role in the league’s best defense. However, the 49ers’ edge rusher has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy in the right situation, and that’s with the Falcons.
Ebukam’s back-to-back seasons with 45 quarterback pressures make him an ideal candidate to bolster Atlanta’s defense. Plus, his versatility as a “tweener” between outside linebacker and defensive end gives him the flexibility to fit into any potential defensive changes under the new coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
With 51 defensive stops in the last two seasons, Ebukam is more than just a pure pass-rusher. The 27-year-old’s experience with both the Rams and the 49ers gives him a wealth of knowledge and skills that could be invaluable to the Falcons. Pair him with Lorenzo Carter, who they need to bring back, and you’ll have two solid edge rushers that can move around the front seven. Couple that with Marcus Davenport as a top free-agent target and you have a recipe for a dominant front seven.