The Atlanta Falcons made defense a focus in the 2015 NFL Draft and they could do the same in 2016. With several players having been signed to one-year contracts, the Falcons could be left trying to fill several holes on the roster. Vic Beasley appears to be a star in the making, but Kroy Biermann and O'Brien Schofield might not be back on the field. That means the Falcons need to make a move on defense once again and the first round of the draft could get them another potential star.
According to ESPN's Todd McShay, the Falcons could target Reggie Ragland with their No.17 pick in the first round. The Falcons need a dominating linebacker and Ragland is ready to compete immediately. There is a chance that Ragland is off the board before the Falcons draft. If they are sold on his talent and football IQ, trading up is not the worst idea. Other options in the first round include Myles Jack from UCLA, but an injured riddled year makes him an uncertain prospect. Shaq Lawson is an option out of Clemson for another pass-rushing specialist while Jaylon Smith from Notre Dame is a good option is Ragland is off the board.
The Falcons will look to the free agent market as head coach Dan Quinn could target some of his former players. Bruce Irvin is set to be a free agent this offseason. Irvin told the media last year at an Atlanta Hawks game that he planned on playing for the Falcons in 2016, but that might have changed as he told ESPN.com he would take a pay cut to remain in Seattle. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports the Falcons could try and win him over with a contract.
"I was asked that," Irvin said, via ESPN.com. "Pete [Carroll] and John [Schneider] asked me that when I met with them today. If it came to that, I would definitely come back. $3-4 million? $3 [million], $4 [million], $5 million? I would definitely come back because I'm established here.''
If Irvin is not an option, Michael Bennett could be. According to the Seattle Times, a trade or release of Bennett might not be out of the question if the defensive star requests another raise. The Seahawks have plenty of free agency questions to answer this offseason and a pay raise to Bennett might not be one of them. As a result, the Falcons could easily target him. According to ESPN.com, the return of Sean Weatherspoon is also an option as he becomes a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Atlanta did not get the best production out of the free agents they signed last year. Brooks Reed, Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson all struggled with consistency in 2015 which is why the Falcons are searching for upgrades.
