Falcons pair of first-round picks continue to offer hope for the future

The Falcons racking up 23 sacks over a four-game stretch was unthinkable coming into the season. Hell, they only had 31 sacks in 17 games all of last year, ranking 31st in the league. But a wave of youth has turned Atlanta’s once-biggest weakness into a glaring strength — one that should provide a ton of optimism for the future of this defense.

The five sacks on Sunday pushed the Falcons to 39 on the season with six games left to play. That’s the third-most in the league, and what’s so exciting is how they’re doing it. There isn’t one dominant force carrying the load. It’s been a true team effort, with Brandon Dorlus leading the way with six sacks after adding 1.5 more against the Saints.

Jalon Walker is right behind him with five, and he’s done it in just nine games while playing through multiple injuries dating back to training camp. Over his last four games, he’s notched four sacks and two forced fumbles, showing early signs of a player who could be a game-changer across the defensive front for a long time.

James Pearce Jr.’s early-season pressures are also finally showing up on the stat sheet. He has 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his last three games, and it really feels like he’s just beginning to tap into his full potential after all the collegiate hype and a standout training camp.

The Falcons have far more questions than answers regarding their future. It’s very possible Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris are looking for new jobs this offseason. Even more concerning, Atlanta doesn’t know who will be starting under center with Michael Penix Jr. undergoing season-ending ACL surgery. Multiple position groups need upgrades, namely the offensive line and wide receiver.

But the pass rush? It’s no longer a concern. It’s the biggest strength on the entire roster, something the Falcons have been able to lean on every single week while so many other aspects of the team have faltered. That shouldn’t be lost in what has quickly become another mess of a season.

—

Photo: Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire

The post Falcons pair of first-round picks continue to offer hope for the future appeared first on SportsTalkATL.com.