The Falcons started slow on offense in 2019 and by the time they began to figure things out, their defense had completely fallen apart. The team is now 1-7 at the midway point in the season, with little to play for except 2020 draft position.
The Falcons started slow on offense in 2019 and by the time they began to figure things out, their defense had completely fallen apart. The team is now 1-7 at the midway point in the season, with little to play for except 2020 draft position.As Atlanta looks to retool things going forward, particularly its underachieving defensive line, the team has at least one building block in place for the future.
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who signed an extension in the offseason, has been the Falcons’ most consistent defensive player. He is currently leading the team with three sacks, while the rest of the team has just four combined.
Despite Atlanta’s abysmal defense this season, Pro Football Focus ranked Jarrett as the NFL’s 14th-ranked pass-rusher through the first nine weeks. Here’s what PFF’s Michael Renner had to say about Jarrett:
Jarrett is certainly living up to his new deal. He’s been a bit more impactful as a run defender, but he has still held his own as a pass-rusher. His 81.8 pass-rushing grade would be the second-highest figure of his career.
Jarrett is playing some of the best football of his career. Going forward, the Falcons need to figure out how to get more production from their edge rushers in order to better capitalize on one of league’s best interior defensive linemen.
