The Atlanta Falcons pass rush struggled last season, ranking 21st in sacks with 42 and 16th in pressures with 143.
Unlike their defensive tackles, their defensive ends are inexperienced and haven’t received much playing time in their careers. Head coach Raheem Morris underlined the current state of their defensive line and what they need.
“I know we don’t have Aaron Donald, but when you get guys like a Grady and a David inside, and the juice that they bring, and you add some young presences around them, or some potential older veterans, who knows, man,” Morris said.
“You can get a pretty special D-Line. I look forward to adding people to it.”
Morris hints that they need another starting-caliber player along the defensive line, a defensive end in particular.
The Falcons are interested in bringing back a veteran defensive end.
The Atlanta Falcons have expressed interest in a reunion with a Pro Bowl defensive end.
Morris told reporters he spoke with Calais Campbell about returning to the Falcons next season.
“I look forward to get[ting] a chance to sit in front of him because he’s certainly as impressive as it gets when it comes to football character,” Morris said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s had as an impressive of a career that you can have. . . . I’m looking [forward] to discussing that in further detail with him at a later date.”
Campbell is 37 years old and this will be his 17th year in the league. He has 865 tackles, 175 TFLs, 254 hits, 105.5 sacks, and 17 forced fumbles with 6-Pro Bowls and a first-team All-Pro in his career.
He spent last season in Atlanta.
Calais Campbell spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons signed Campbell to a one-year, $7 million contract.
Campbell played in 17 games, starting 17, with 56 tackles, ten TFLs, 17 hits, one safety, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and an 80.0 PFF Grade.
He finished the season tied for 1st in sacks, 2nd in TFLs, and 1st in hits on the team.
The Atlanta Falcons currently have two inexperienced defensive ends on the roster.
The Falcons have two inexperienced defensive ends under contract, including Zach Harrison and Demone Harris.
Harrison was selected in the 3rd round last season and had 33 tackles, four TFLs, five hits, and three sacks in 16 games last season.
Harris will be in his seventh year in the NFL and has bounced around with five teams. He has 11 tackles, two TFLs, three hits, and zero sacks in 14 career games.
The Atlanta Falcons have limited cap space.
The Falcons currently have approximately $6 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. To re-sign him, they must free up cap space, or he must agree to a team-friendly deal.
Will he be an Atlanta Falcon next season?
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