When you think of Atlanta, what comes to your mind? For me it’s Outkast, Ludacris, TI, Chipper Jones, Dominique Wilkins, the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers. The Atlanta Falcons are an outsider in their own city. After making the NFC title game in 2012, the Falcons have stumbled in the previous two seasons. The defense was no longer serviceable and you could tell it needed improvement. Atlanta's management was observing that Matt Ryan was going to turn 30 and that the Ryan-era was going to be a disappointment. In a move to right the ship, the Falcons fired head coach Mike Smith and hired Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. This writer is very high on Quinn and how he has influenced this teams roster already.

With the eighth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons took Vic Beasley out of Clemson. Vic Beasley is a monster pass rusher.

According to NFL.com, Beasley's weaknesses are, “high cut with narrow waist and thin legs. Needs to add more bulk. Unlikely to convert speed to power against NFL tackles. Wins with athleticism on majority of his sacks. Rarely transitions from speed rush to spin as an instinctual pass-rush counter. Lacks ideal arm length. Too often content to stay blocked if pass rush stalls out. Needs to shed blocks more consistently against run. Good football character, but scouts are concerned about a lack of alpha-dog tenacity.”

So, Vic needs to do a better job of defending against the run, but he’s the pass rusher that Dan Quinn needed to rebuild the defense and get to the quarterback more often than the Falcons have done in the past. 

In the second round, the Falcons took the immensely talented Jalen Collins from LSU. Collins reminded NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock of Antonio Cromartie. Collins needs to get stronger, but he has good ball skills and has the quickness to guard wide receivers in man-to-man coverage. Collins can be one of the best number two corners in the league opposite of Desmond Trufant.

In the third round, the Falcons got great value by taking Indiana running back Tevin Coleman. NFL.com compared him to Darren McFadden. Coleman is a very fast, elusive runner. Coleman scared teams away because of his home run tendencies. Every play he’s trying to go the distance instead of being patient and waiting for holes to open up. Coleman needs to become more of a receiver. Nonetheless, Coleman is great value in the third round.

In the fourth round, the Falcons took Justin Hardy, the prolific pass catcher out of ECU. Hardy was drafted to replace Harry Douglas who is now a member of the Tennessee Titans. Hardy is a very limited route runner and it will take him time to adjust to the NFL game, but with time he should be a good number three option for Matty Ryan.

The draft was a success for the Falcons, as well as free agency. One of the most underrated moves they made was signing defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn’s biggest problem was staying on the field. He is a great pass rusher and will find ways to get to the quarterback, and the Falcons desperately need guys who can pressure the quarterback, seeing that they finished 30th in sacks last season.

In another move to bolster the pass rush, the Falcons signed Brooks Reed away from the Houston Texans. Reed hasn’t been the pass rusher that he was suppose to be, but he’s a solid defenders who can stop the run.

The Falcons won’t be serious contenders for the playoffs this year, but they can potentially be there next year with their new additions and the young core that is starting to be established. With the likes of Trufant and offensive lineman Jake Matthews, the Falcons are moving in the right direction.