Could the Falcons be considering a change to a 3-4 defensive scheme? There is some evidence to suggest it might be happening.

Before anything, let’s break down the renowned “4-3 under” defense. Simply, the 4-3 under is designed to clog inside gaps and pass rush from both the inside and out. The personnel must be designed to support interior and exterior pass rush. Specifically, at the 3-technique position, Falcons coach Dan Quinn is known for having a historically small interior group. Revisiting the motive of the defense, it’s pretty clear why. Quinn looks for guys that can rush the passer most effectively from the inside, who will usually be lighter and more athletic.

An extremely important aspect is that the interior linemen must be able to hold their ground against the run too, but being able to apply pressure to inside gaps and out is a major staple of the defense. Typically, the alignment will consist of a strong-side defensive end who plays like a 3-4 defensive end, a LEO who can rush the passer or drop into the coverage, a 3-technique who specializes in interior pass rushing, and a 1-technique, who clogs up the gaps and backfield.

There needs to be a middle linebacker who is athletic, fast and can tackle in space especially in the Falcons’ Cover 3, a weak-side linebacker who has sideline to sideline speed and coverage ability, and a strong-side linebacker who has speed, length, three-down ability and will usually be the best pass-rushing linebacker on the roster.

Then, of course, you have your obligatory long and physical cornerbacks who can battle at the line of scrimmage, your versatile and play-making free safety and run-supporting strong safety.

The 4-3 Under is very particular to its personnel. Your interior linemen must be able to hold their ground against the run game because without that ability, opposing offenses are going to pound the rock through the mouth of your defense. Because the Falcons’ defensive interior is so small and struggles to hold their own against the run, let’s take a look at the possibility of a transition to a 3-4.

Here are a few hints.

1. According to The Athletic, Quinn is unhappy with the scheme

“Quinn saw a combination of inconsistent and/or inadequate performances from players and a lack of players working together. He also saw scheme problems. He personally looked at “6,000 plays” from his defense during the past five years: 2013 and 2014 in Seattle and 2016 through 2018 in Atlanta. The plays were categorized by level of effectiveness. The Falcons head coach took note of how opponents’ pass routes that weren’t used too often three to five years ago were more frequent in the past two seasons.. obvious conclusion: something had to change besides the players.”

As the NFL is changing, defenses have to adapt as well. There are some inner personnel clues that lead to a possible switch as well.

2: Personnel adaptations

This 2019 Falcons team is scary thin at 4-3 defensive end and they haven’t done much about it. But if you examine the additions of Tyeler Davison, Adrian Clayborn, Ra’Shede Hageman and John Cominsky, a common theme arises: playing to the strength of the personnel. Film says the best fits for Clayborn, Hageman and Cominsky are all the 5-technique in a 3-4 defense.

3: Letting Bruce Irvin walk

This confused fans at first, but taking a deeper look at it may show that the Falcons are comfortable with what they have at 3-4 OLB. Vic Beasley, Takk McKinley and DeVondre Campbell all have the capabilities to rush in a 3-4. So, why keep Irvin along with such little cap room to work with?

4: Takk McKinley working out at SLB

In the case that the Falcons did switch to a 3-4, McKinley would possibly start at SLB, depending on the team’s level of comfort dropping Beasley and/or McKinley into coverage. Quinn recently telling the AJC “There will be some packages where he can be a linebacker… The value in that (presents the question of) is he a rusher or is he a dropper?” lets us know that McKinley may see extra reps at linebacker during the season.

5: Interest in 3-4 defensive end Allen Bailey

With Steven Means going down with an Achilles tear, a lot of pressure is on rookie DL John Cominsky. With a roster built to win now, the Falcons may not want to mess around with projects. One sign is that the Falcons recently worked out free agent Allen Bailey, a proven 3-4 defensive end who would likely start day one at strong-side defensive end for Atlanta. In 2014, when the Chiefs played Bailey at the 5-technique in a 3-4 defense, he saw career highs in sacks and tackles for loss.

6: Addition of former Chiefs DC Bob Sutton.

Bob Sutton was the one who changed the Kansas City Chiefs defense into a 3-4. Perhaps in addition to his game management role, Quinn wanted to add a guy with experience operating a 3-4 defense to help the transition.

Although this is just speculation, it may be an interesting story-line to keep in mind heading towards the Hall of Fame game.