Looking back on 2015—Dan Quinn’s rookie season—it’s easy to forget the complete lack of talent on the defensive line. Vic Beasley was a rookie and the other starting DE was...Tyson Jackson. There were some decent contributors like Brooks Reed and O’Brien Schofield, but otherwise this was a team full of aging veterans and stopgap players. It culminated in a league low 18 sacks.
Fast forward to 2017, and the Falcons have a stable of young, talented pass rushers paired with some experienced veterans. The DT rotation is thin, but the starting talent is very good.