Entering the 2016 season, if you had a desire to wager money on the next NFL sacks leader, the headliners were obvious.
There was odds-on-favorite J.J. Watt, of Houston. Next came up-and-comer Khalil Mack, of Oakland. And, of course, don’t forget about Von Miller, the star of reigning Super Bowl champion Denver.
Far down the list, at 100-to-1, was a man many critics in Atlanta were ready to deem a bust after one year — 2015 first-round selection Vic Beasley Jr.
Beasley not only put those thoughts to rest, he also put away the contenders. He became the first Falcons player to leads the NFL in sacks (15 1/2).