The Atlanta Falcons are hoping to make the playoffs this season, with new quarterback Kirk Cousins joining a solid roster that includes running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London.
However, their defence needs reinforcements, particularly up front, where they could apply more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
According to David Helman of FOX Sports, the Falcons should select edge rusher Dallas Turner with the eighth pick in the draft on Thursday.
The #Falcons are the best home fit for Bama edge Dallas Turner, per @davidhelman_ ✍️
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Turner may not be considered the best edge rusher in this year’s draft—many believe that honour belongs to UCLA’s Laiatu Latu—but he is an excellent player in his own right.
Turner had 10.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss at the University of Alabama last season, and Helman noted that, despite his slow development over three years, he played behind Will Anderson Jr. before 2023.
Anderson won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award this season for the Houston Texans.
Atlanta’s offensive talent is decent but not exceptional, so they will most likely have to embrace defensive success if they want to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
They have a new head coach in Raheem Morris, who previously served as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator for three years, including when they won the Super Bowl in 2021.
Atlanta is reportedly considering drafting Bo Nix, a quarterback from the University of Oregon, despite the fact that Cousins is currently their quarterback.
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