Grady Jarrett

Jarrett missed three games over his first eight NFL seasons but suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 of the 2023 campaign and was placed on season-ending IR. Despite being considered one of the best defensive tackles in football, he's never recorded more than 70 tackles or eight sacks in a season, and his last forced fumble came in 2019. The 31-year-old likely will face restrictions even if he's medically cleared for training camp, but he still should be a key piece of the Falcons defense if he's healthy during the regular season, even with rookie second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro joining the mix. Matthew Judon's presence should also create more 1-on-1 looks for Jarrett in 2024.

After combining for just five sacks between 2020 and 2021, Jarrett wanted to be more versatile last season under new defensive coordinator Dean Pees. It paid off, as the veteran recorded 61 tackles and six sacks, both of which marked his most since 2019. Atlanta bolstered its front seven this offseason, adding DLs Calais Campbell and David Onyemata and LB Kaden Elliss, so Garrett could see more 1-on-1 matchups this year, which may lead to another fruitful campaign. The 2015 fifth-round pick has missed just three games over eight NFL seasons, totaling 32.5 career sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Jarrett signed a three-year, $51 million extension with the Falcons this offseason after finishing last season with 59 tackles and just one sack, the latter of which matched his lowest total since his rookie campaign. The 2015 fifth-round pick has missed just three games across his seven-year career and amassed 26.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his tenure with Atlanta. After the massive extension, Jarrett figures to be a core piece of Atlanta's defensive front for years to come.

Jarrett earned his second straight Pro-Bowl appearance after another excellent season with the Falcons' beleaguered defense. The 28-year-old defensive tackle registered four sacks - a three-year low - in 2020, but he still was a disruptive force on the way to his third consecutive season with a pass-rush grade of at least 80, according to Pro Football Focus. Unquestionably the team's best defensive player and with just two years left on his contract, Jarrett could price himself out of Atlanta and its terrible cap situation with another dominant campaign.

Jarrett continued his ascent to NFL stardom during 2019, ranking behind only Aaron Donald and Cameron Heyward for title of best interior defensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus. Though he just earned the first Pro Bowl nod of his five-year professional career, Jarrett has been a notably dominant player for three years now, amassing an incredible 35 tackles for loss and 45 QB hits in 46 regular-season appearances since the start of 2017. He seems more and more capable of closing on pass-rushing opportunities as his career wears on, as indicated by a personal-best 7.5 sacks in 2019. He's unquestionably the team's best player against the run, but if the Falcons defense is to stay afloat in the star-studded NFC South, Jarrett may need to contribute even more in pressuring the passer this upcoming season.

Jarrett is one of the most valuable assets on the Atlanta roster, as evidenced by the front office's willingness to sign him to a four-year, $68 million contract to replace the franchise tag. Arguably, Jarrett has been the team's best defender over the past two seasons, serving as a formidable run stuffer and consistent provider of pocket pressure for a Falcons unit that regressed last year after a strong showing in 2017. He's been extremely disruptive on the interior, amassing 29 QB hits, 10 sacks and 107 tackles (23 for loss) over the past two years.

Jarrett has taken great strides since being a fifth-round draft pick of the Falcons in 2015, as he continues to mold himself into one of the league's elite interior defensive linemen. Evolving from a rotational player as a rookie to now a full-time starter, he's increased his tackle and sacks counts in each season (55 tackles and four sacks in 16 starts last year). Jarrett is a wildly underrated defensive tackle who will soon become a household name if he continues on his current trajectory. The 25-year-old led the position with 16 tackles for loss or no gain on run plays during 2017, per Pro Football Focus.

A fifth-round gem out of Clemson, Jarrett has made a difference on the defensive line in his two seasons in the league. His total tackles jumped from 24 to 48 in year two, and he also racked up three sacks in his second season. The addition of Dontari Poe during free agency should mean Jarrett will face fewer double teams in 2017, and there's no reason to think he can't continue to improve. If he can stay healthy, 50-plus tackles and a handful of sacks could certainly be in the cards for Jarrett.

Jarrett, a fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft, will provide depth at defensive tackle. He won't see much action unless injuries strike.