Pass-rush specialist Chuck Smith joined Dukes & Bell for his weekly appearance on the show and gave the guys a list of free agent pass-rushers who might be relatively inexpensive for the team to sign.
When asked about some pass-rushers that may be available in free agency.
“These guys, could the Falcons afford them, I don’t know and probably not," said Smith. "I know they wanna go in the draft. But my thing is to have a little bit of respect, to get a little bit of a pass rush, like I’m gonna start out with No. 4, see to me this is the type of fit you want, like Derek Barnett in Philly.
“[He] hasn’t had quite the success, but been a pretty solid pass-rusher, hasn’t got the numbers and those kind of things. But to me when you look at the Falcons, he’s a huge upgrade over anything they’ve had... and he’s healthy. Now here’s one they need to really look out for, Arden Key from San Francisco. He revitalized his career in San Fran last year, he rushed inside, he rushed outside and I think he could be around where you could afford him. I think he’s only 25 years old. To me he can rush simple as that and if I’m the Falcons I’m really looking at him closely.”
Smith continued with guys the Falcons might be able to afford.
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“This is a little bit of a long shot, but he’s still young, Randy Gregory, if the Falcons are looking to say win in two more years," Smith continued. "I mean this dude is still young, and let’s be real, he missed damn near eight seasons because he was suspended so he’s fresh.”
One name on the list could be a little more of a long shot.
“Jadeveon Clowney," finished Smith. "Jadeveon now he’s with Myles Garrett, they’ve got a great tandem, he’s revitalized his career and I’m sure he’s gonna want to get paid. He’s up in age a little bit."