Falcons LB Bud Dupree Looking to 'Prove It' with New Contract
The Atlanta Falcons made a number of additions on the defensive side of the ball this offseason ... but the signing of linebacker Bud Dupree often gets overlooked.
It's easy to mull over Dupree's signing when Jessie Bates, David Onyemata and Calais Campbell were also brought in, but the Falcons may have made the smartest move of all when inking the former Tennessee Titans linebacker.
Bleacher Report identified Dupree's contract as the 10th-friendliest new deal signed this offseason around the league.
"The Falcons deserve credit for rolling the dice on Dupree with almost no risk involved," Bleacher Report writes. "The team only doled out a one-year, $3 million "prove-it" deal to the pass-rusher and could see an immense return on that investment. While Dupree only recorded seven sacks during his stint in the Music City, he's not too far removed a two-year stretch in which he racked up 19.5 sacks over his final two seasons with the Steelers."
Dupree is expected to help a pass rush that has struggled immensely in recent years. The Falcons ranked dead last in sacks in 2021 and finished 31st in 2022. The pass rush has arguably been the biggest trouble spot for the Falcons, so signing Dupree is a good step in the right direction towards fixing it.
If Dupree struggles, the Falcons don't lose much ... but if he plays like he did with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta may have pulled off one of the best bargains in the NFL.
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