By: Drayton Hogarth

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

NFL free agency is still ongoing, but the Atlanta Falcons have likely completed their shopping in the market after the big move of reeling in Dontari Poe.

The former Kansas City Chief will provide a major boost to the Atlanta defensive line, and in turn make the entire team better. Poe has been a two-time Pro Bowler during his five year career in Kansas City. Poe is known for utilizing his tremendous athleticism for his size 6’3” and 346 pounds and brings a rare combination of run stopper and pass rusher for head coach Dan Quinn’s defensive unit.

Despite not putting up the kind of numbers last season many have become accustomed, the Chiefs still relied upon Dontari Poe to play 818 plays on defense; the most along the Kansas City defensive line.

Bringing Poe into the defensive front will further bolster the Falcons dominant pass rush; teams will not be able to double team NFL leader in sacks, Vic Beasley. As well, do not forget about the dominant inside combination that this signing now gives the Falcons with the emergence of Grady Jarret.

While Poe will provide a better inside pass rush for Atlanta, the move will immediately upgrade the Falcons run defense. Teams that were able to beat Atlanta, typically were able to move the ball on the ground and control the clock. It was seemingly the best way to defend the Falcons of 2016 by keeping the offense on the sidelines.

Dontari Poe improves the Falcons versus the run and the pass. What is a secondary’s best friend? The answer would be a devastating pass rush.

As mentioned above, the Falcons return the NFL’s leading pass rusher in Vic Beasley. Grady Jarrett exploded onto the scene with the monster game on the biggest stage of them all. Now combine them with Dontari Poe, opposing offenses will have to play the Falcons front straight up.

This should be fantastic news for Atlanta’s young and versatile linebackers, Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell. Lest we forget, the Falcons secondary, while holding their own last season, will be much deeper and improved with the return of Desmond Trufant.

Trufant went out early last season with a shoulder injury, but before that he was far and away the best corner on the Falcons roster. It can be said that Trufant is one of the top corners in the league.

The signing of Poe allows the Falcons to play opponents any way that they prefer in pass defense. The defensive front should be strong enough to rush four and drop seven into coverage, or be more aggressive by bringing more blitzes and disrupt the opposing offense’s rhythm.

Perhaps the biggest reason that the Falcons had to make a move such as this, guess what team was dead last in the NFL in red zone scoring defense? None other than the Falcons.

Despite giving up a red zone touchdown a whopping 71% of the time, Atlanta had the season that they had; now imagine if that can drop to even into the 50% range by giving up only three points instead of seven, it makes sense that Atlanta will be able to outscore teams at a much higher rate. Again, the defense can help out the offense in a big way.

One little talked about aspect of this signing is that Atlanta is not only bringing in a Pro Bowl caliber player, but one who is coming in with something to prove.

With his down season, stats wise last year, Poe is coming in on a one year deal and will look to capitalize on a huge contract season. So, as you can see the signing of Dontari Poe helps complete the team all across the board by stopping the run, upgrading the pass rush, and improving the red zone defense.

Any way to get the Falcons offense on the field as much as possible is a great way to allow Atlanta their best chance to take the final step and win a Super Bowl.