As NFL training camp approaches, various roster ranking lists are capturing attention and sparking discussions among fans. In ESPN's recent Top 10 defensive tackle ranking, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett was notably omitted, even as an honorable mention. This led to questions on Time Out with Eric Slaughter, where host Eric and guest Austin McCall from WAOK discussed whether Atlanta fans might overvalue Jarrett.
Initially, McCall found it strange that Jarrett was left off the list. However, as Eric read out the names of the top 10 defensive tackles, such as Aaron Donald, Chris Jones and Cam Heyward, McCall began to understand the rationale behind Jarrett's exclusion. Looking at the statistics, Jarrett's tackle totals from last season—61 tackles—were comparable to those of the players listed in the top 10. However, Jarrett's sack totals were lower, albeit not significantly, with 6 sacks on the year.
Interestingly, when comparing Jarrett's stats against the five players mentioned as honorable mentions, his numbers are more favorable. For example, Christian Wilkins of the Miami Dolphins led the league in tackles with 98 but had only 3.5 sacks. Vita Vea of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had 31 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 14 games. Kenny Clark of the Green Bay Packers recorded 53 tackles and 4 sacks. Derrick Brown of the Carolina Panthers had 67 tackles, 1 sack, and an interception, while Leonard Williams of the New York Giants notched 45 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
With the Falcons making improvements on the defensive line this season, Jarrett should have more support around him, which could enhance his performance and potentially earn him a spot on the list in the following offseason. Fans can stay tuned to 92.9 The Game for the latest Atlanta Falcons news and coverage on Audacy.com or the Audacy app.