Falcoholic Podcast: Grading the 2021 defense

Dean Pees is an incredible coach with a long, impressive resume. One might argue that he is the best hire that new head coach Arthur Smith has made. While Falcons fans carry a consistent perception that the team defense is terrible, the 2020 unit actually finished incredibly strong. In fact, they were ranked 14th in DVOA, making up a lot of ground once Dan Quinn was fired.

So what will this unit look like in 2021? Jake Gordon of Sports Talk ATL joined me on the podcast to discuss the different groups on the defense and to grade them heading into the season. Here’s some of what we covered:

• Why any unit that features Grady Jarrett can’t be ranked too low
• Hoping for a step forward from guys like Marlon Davidson and John Cominsky
• The rotation at outside linebacker and why a healthy Dante Fowler could surprise people
• What rookie Ade Ogundeji could provide on defense this year
• The excellent inside linebacker corps and why this could end up being the strongest unit on the defense
• The platoon of safeties and why Jaylinn Hawkins and Richie Grant may see more time as the season progresses
• AJ Terrell and Fabian Moreau and the concerning depth behind them
• So much more

As always, you can find the podcast wherever fine podcasts are available or you can listen below:

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