Michael

Bennett

Bennett broke his ankle early in Falcons training camp. Coach Dan Quinn still believes the fifth-year D lineman has a chance to see the field this season, suggesting he could be one of the players the Falcons designate for return. In addition to placing Bennett on I.R., Atlanta also waived OT Lanard Bonner while signing LBs Stephone Anthony and Richie Brown.

Bennett is out indefinitely with a broken ankle. He’s not eligible for the PUP list since the injury happened in training camp, but it sounds like there’s a good chance he’ll be back this year. The Falcons may designate Bennett as one of their IR-return players.

It’s a brutal break for the 26-year-old in the opening days of camp. It’s possible the reserve interior lineman is placed on injured reserve. Since the injury happened after the start of camp, Bennett is not eligible for the PUP list.

This is the “other” Michael Bennett, who has spent most of his NFL career in Jacksonville. The Falcons need interior depth with Grady Jarrett banged up.

Bennett appeared in 13 games as a rookie but missed all of last season due to a calf injury. A favorite of the draft community coming out of Ohio State thanks to his motor and high effort, Bennett needs to stay healthy to win a backup job in a defense that is flush with talent. Bennett is a pure 4-3 three-technique.

Bennett tumbled all the way to the sixth round because he’s viewed as a three-technique-only in a 4-3 system unable to play in a 3-4. Still, we like his value. Bennett has a chance to contribute immediately in sub-packages.

Bennett (6'2/293) made 29 starts for the Buckeyes, amassing 31.5 career TFLs, 18 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. A havoc creator inside, Bennett is a high-effort pass rusher with quick extremities whose length helps Bennett compensate for his smallish stature. He has long arms (33 5/8") and big hands (10 1/4") and -- for whatever it’s worth -- aced the Wonderlic, scoring a 43. Bennett isn’t much of a run defender and battled injuries during the pre-draft phase, but projects as a quality NFL three-technique tackle with starter’s upside.

This may explain why Bennett fell all the way to the sixth round. Assistant Director of College Scouting Paul Roell said Bennett is a great fit for the Jaguars’ scheme because of his quickness and instincts. Bennett sees himself as an “inside pass rusher.” Though Sen’Derrick Marks excelled as a pass rusher last season, Jacksonville’s other defensive tackles struggled in that area. Marks is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 17.

The hamstring injury limited Bennett in the months leading up to the draft. A smallish player who could struggle against the run, Bennett is a pure three-tech tackle who should help early as an inside pass rusher in sub packages.

The 2015 sixth-rounder has made one appearance since his rookie year. He’ll likely be cut loose with an injury settlement once he gets healthy.