Ra'Shede Hageman named by ESPN as Falcon who would benefit most from change of scenery

ESPN put together a list of players who might benefit from a change of scenery, and the Falcons' choice was an unexpected one, at least for me.

Atlanta Falcons: Defensive lineman Ra'Shede Hageman, a former second-round draft pick, is a talented player who is strong enough to push anyone around. But the fact that Hageman doesn't always play disciplined football in coach Dan Quinn's scheme might make Hageman a better fit elsewhere. He could thrive in a different scheme. -- Vaughn McClure

I'm a big fan of Hageman's potential, so my immediate reaction to this suggestion was not a positive one. After thinking about it a while longer, it's still not that positive.

This was obviously a question put out to the beat reporters for each team, and I can't fault McClure for choosing Hageman, given that he has very clearly not been the player his talent suggests he can be during his first two seasons in the NFL. For all that, though, the 25-year-old did show legitimately terrifying power and ability for stretches during the 2015 season, and this is a team in desperate need of playmakers up front. If you can't develop Hageman properly I can see trying to flip him to a team that would be interested in taking on that project, but the value you'd get back would likely be minimal. Also, development is supposed to be one of the strengths of this coaching staff, so it wouldn't exactly be encouraging to see them unable to coax more out of a legitimate talent like Hageman, even though I recognize the effort has to come from both sides.

In other words, while I'm not going to say the team won't move Hageman, I can't see them doing so in 2016. Let's hope he breaks out and makes this discussion moot.