Jack Crawford says he’s healthy, ensuring a strong DT rotation for Atlanta

I missed this a few days ago in the craziness of the offseason*, but it appears Jack Crawford is indeed totally healthy, per Jack Crawford. He told Kelsey Conway with the Falcons so, at the very least, and given the positive reports we’ve heard up to this point I find it entirely believable. That means that barring any further injuries or a last second shopping spree, the Falcons are pretty well set at the defensive tackle position.

All offseason long, we’ve talked about Crawford being a useful part of the defensive tackle rotation, and he’s still the player the Falcons figure to find snaps for in obvious pass rushing situations on the interior of the defensive line. His chief competition for snaps at the moment would appear to be rookie Deadrin Senat, who has considerable promise but an uncertain year one impact, and Terrell McClain, who does his best work as a run stopper. While the rotation at defensive tackle has changed a lot since we first wrote about Crawford’s potential back in January, his role hasn’t changed at all.

His potential snaps may have changed, however, given that both Senat and McClain are going to need plenty of playing time and Jarrett is locked in as one of the better young defensive tackles in the NFL. As Crawford himself notes, though, this defense is on the cusp of becoming one of the league’s elite units, and Crawford will have his role to play. At the very least, a third down grouping of Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett, Jack Crawford and Takk McKinley sounds pretty damn good.

*It’s not crazy at all it’s so quiet please help I can hear my own thoughts echoing in my ears