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Atlanta’s been linked to Terrell McClain for a little bit now, and where there’s smoke, there is sometimes a fire and not just a candle someone forgot to put out. I’m not sure that analogy makes any sense.
Source close to the situation tells me Cowboys DT Terrell McClain's market value rising. Atlanta, Washington & Seattle among suitors.
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) March 5, 2017
McClain, 28, is not well-loved by Pro Football Focus and doesn’t have eye-popping stats, but that’s not what this is all about. The Falcons need defensive tackles who can be a useful part of the rotation, and McClain is fresh off a useful season where he started 15 games, picked up 2.5 sacks, and played quality run defense that sometimes looked like this.
bring me terrell mcclain @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/ByDIHzLvta
— charles mcdonald (@FourVerts) February 22, 2017
He’s not going to be incredibly expensive, he’ll likely play close to starter’s snaps on this defense, and I think he’d be a fine signing. I would obviously prefer a huge ticket free agent like Calais Campbell, but the Falcons are working with a pool of cap space that is in the bottom third of the NFL at the moment, and big splashes are probably not in the offing. Someone like McClain shores up a position of need, and if the Falcons land a quality draft selection as well, defensive tackle will look a hell of a lot better in 2017 than it did in 2016.