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Falcons post-draft roster review: Inside linebacker is in flux

Atlanta Falcons v Las Vegas Raiders

Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

The Falcons have added multiple new faces to inside linebacker, but the sure things are few and far between.

Inside linebacker is not at the top of the list of needs for the Atlanta Falcons, but it is still a position with more question marks than the Riddler’s favorite pajamas. Outside of one established veteran about to hit 30 years of age, the group is young players who are new to the team and young players who either don’t profile as starters or have had their careers derailed by injury.

It all adds up to a very unsettled picture. I can’t tell you with a high degree of confidence how much Jalon Walker is going to play off-ball linebacker, whether Troy Andersen will be and can stay healthy, and whether Divine Deablo will grab and keep a starting job. That uncertainty means this is a group with one sure thing and many questions that will have to be answered over the summer; the ideal version of this group will offer the Falcons the potential to rotate players based on situations and could be a legitimate asset, while the worst case scenario has the Falcons leaning heavily on Elliss again with others struggling or hurt.

We’ll keep this one relatively brief because of that uncertainty, but let’s go.

Starter​

Kaden Elliss​


The one slam dunk in the group. Elliss is no great shakes in coverage, but he does just about everything else well, from consistently useful run defense to impactful pass rushing and solid tackling, even if he missed a few too many in that last category a year ago. The Falcons have at times figured ways to get Elliss going as a pressure player and it has paid massive dividends, but it’s the run defense that’s going to be especially key with the Falcons having a largely untested line working in front of him.

The Falcons should—and will try—to limit Elliss’s coverage responsibilities as much as is reasonable while keeping him on the field as much as possible to take advantage of everything else he does well. Durable, reliable, and at times phenomenal when he gets going, Elliss is one of the small handful of defenders the Falcons know they can rely on, which makes him an absolutely critical player in an unsettled position group.

In the mix​

Troy Andersen, Divine Deablo​


Andersen is on a fast track to becoming the latest in a line of tantalizing players who have had their careers wrecked by injury, joining Peria Jerry and Marlon Davidson as fairly recent examples of the genre. Andersen appeared in 17 games in an uneven but promising rookie season, but the past two years has been in just nine games, putting together a couple of dominant efforts in that limited sample size but otherwise either missing games entirely or looking something less than 100%.

If he’s healthy, Andersen still has the coverage ability and raw tools to be a useful starter, but the Falcons drafting Jalon Walker (who can play inside, more on that shortly) and signing Divine Deablo suggests they’re definitely not counting on it. Andersen’s fortunes likely depend entirely on his health, but he’ll go into the year at a bit of a disadvantage with that history.

Deablo, meanwhile, is the current favorite to step in as a starter next to Elliss because of Andersen’s injuries, and because the team gave him a contract that suggests they seem him as at least a short-term starter. Still fairly young and possessing legitimate speed, Deablo has shown real promise as a pass rusher and moments as a run defender and in coverage, though he’s had an uneven career to this point. The Falcons clearly liked him enough to pony up a hefty chunk of change for 2025.

It’s possible the Falcons will lean on Andersen’s strengths in coverage and Deablo’s promise as a pass rusher and try to divvy up snaps between the two of them, or that Elliss will get some breathers if all three are healthy. The summer will tell the tale.

Destined to rotate in​

Jalon Walker​


Walker is primarily going to play EDGE, but the team has talked up his versatility and he has plenty of experience as an off-ball linebacker from college. Whether he’ll be rushing the passer from that spot on third downs or filling in for struggling or injured options on early downs, Walker will get time here; we don’t know enough about the envisioned role for him or how the depth chart is going to shake out to say much beyond that.

Reserves and roster hopefuls​

JD Bertrand, Caleb Johnson, Josh Woods, Nick Kubitz, Malik Verdon​


Bertrand is the favorite to actually land a roster spot, assuming only one is available behind Elliss, Andersen, Walker, and Deablo. He was a capable special teamer last year despite a couple of missed tackles, generated four pressures and a sack on just 20 pass rushing snaps, and provided solid run defense. Bertrand’s flaws in coverage were on full display in his limited time as a starter and he needs to be a crisper tackler in both phases, but there’s enough here to make him a valuable reserve.

Johnson, Woods, and rookies Kubitz and Verdon will be vying for practice squad spots, in all likelihood, with two potentially available. Johnson and Woods are proven capable special teamers, while Kubitz will hope to show more than that and latch on because of some defensive upside. The most intriguing player in this mix might be Verdon, a hyper-physical safety in college that the team is listing as an inside linebacker. He’s likely to be a bit of a project, but if he looks good this summer, I’d view Verdon as a strong bet for the practice squad.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-flux-kaden-elliss-divine-deablo-jalon-walker
 
The Falcoholic Reacts: Kirk Cousins’ Future after Aaron Rodgers joins Pittsburgh

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Where do the Falcons go from here with their backup veteran quarterback?

As one quarterback saga ends, another one becomes more perplexing. The Steelers had to be considered a realistic trade partner for the Falcons to find a solution for Kirk Cousins. Given the state of their roster, it seemed like an ideal fit to bring some stability to an offense well-suited to a quarterback like Cousins. They opted to go the more direct route by finally signing Aaron Rodgers.

That leaves the front office with minimal options for a possible trade. Barring a training camp or preseason quarterback injury, it’s difficult to envision what team would want to pursue Cousins. The financial circumstances make it even more challenging for a trade to materialize.

The possibility of Cousins being the backup quarterback on opening day is becoming more likely. The organization will focus on what is best for business rather than morally right in this bizarre situation. This is a quarterback they significantly invested in and didn’t get one good season from. The fanbase strongly believes the Falcons will stick with Cousins as their backup quarterback.



Do the Falcons stand firm in keeping Cousins? Will they somehow find a convincing trade offer? Could they shockingly release him? Let us know below.

This week’s result is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...odgers-joins-pittsburgh-falcons-raheem-morris
 
Checking in on the Falcons active all-time leaders on offense

NFL: Atlanta Falcons Minicamp

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Long-time legends have come and gone, giving newer faces a chance to make history.

Just a few years ago, any article about where current Atlanta Falcons stood on the list of all-time statistical categories on offense would have been easy to put together. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones were #1 in basically everything passing and receiving, after all, and could be considered two of the greatest Falcons ever.

We’re out of that era and into a new one. Now, looking ahead to the 2025 season, active leaders are either young players trying to make their marks or stopgaps soon to be supplanted, with the exception of an ironman who is near the top of the all-time leaderboard in games played.

Here’s a quick look at those leaderboards as we settle in to the quiet part of the summer.

Passing​


Yards: 3,508, Kirk Cousins, 12th

Touchdowns: 18, Kirk Cousins, 11th

Interceptions: 16, Kirk Cousins, 16th

Passer Rating: 88.6, Kirk Cousins, 15th

Sacks: 28, Kirk Cousins, 20th



The Falcons have had relative stability at quarterback over the years, with the likes of Steve Bartkowski, Jeff George, Chris Chandler, Michael Vick, and especially Matt Ryan holding down the fort for long stretches. That’s why Cousins’ truncated season appears relatively high on the all-time leaderboard, but it’s fair to expect that Michael Penix (33rd in yards, 32nd in touchdowns, 38th in interceptions) will surpass him across the board by the end of the 2025 season.

The real question is where Penix will end up when his career is over; one hopes he’s challenging greats like Bartkowski and Ryan for the top marks on the team leaderboard.

Rushing​


Yards: 2,432, Bijan Robinson, 10th

Touchdowns: 18, Bijan Robinson, 11th



If he stays healthy and with the Falcons, there’s no doubt in my mind that Bijan will finish his career in the top three for rushing and rushing touchdowns all-time in Falcons history, if not an easy number one. The team has had some true greats from Jamal Anderson to Michael Turner to William Andrews, and Robinson has the talent and the outsized role in a quality offense necessary to surpass them all.

Receiving​


Receptions: 241, Drake London, 17th

Yards: 3,042, Drake London, 17th

Touchdowns: 15, Drake London, 20th



Similar to Robinson, London certainly has the talent and opportunity to finish his career very near the top of the team’s all-time leaderboard, though challenging Julio Jones for yards and receptions will be a tough feat. London’s tremendous early rapport with Penix bodes well for his chances of eventually catching up to Terance Mathis and the legendary Roddy White, however.

Games played​


179, Jake Matthews, 7th



Matthews has been around for a small eternity in NFL years and has been a rock solid left tackle all that time, and his re-worked contract means he has a real shot to spend a few more years in Atlanta. Another full season will put him ahead of Jonathan Babineaux for sixth all-time, and he has a small but not zero chance of eventually catching the great Mike Kenn, who leads the team in games played with 251.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...eaders-on-offense-drake-london-bijan-robinson
 
The Legend Of Julio Jones: Giant takeover

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Jones continued his dominant start to the 2015 season, leading the Falcons in a comeback road win over the Giants, featuring one of his all-time greatest jaw-dropping catches.

There were several memorable performances from Julio Jones in 2015. Selecting only three games from that year for an all-time top-ten performances list was challenging. He started the season with three 100+ yard games and ended the season the same way he began in the final three games.

There was also another three-game stretch in the middle of the season, where he produced 100+ yards. Jones led the league in receiving yards, tied for first in receptions, and earned his first career first-team All-Pro spot.

After torching Byron Maxwell and the Eagles on primetime to start the season, Jones was back at it the following week against the Giants. It was an anticipated matchup with a rapidly ascending Odell Beckham Jr. on the other side. There was plenty of excitement about having two of the most electrifying wide receivers in the league at the time playing in the same game.

Both delivered as expected, combining for 20 receptions with 281 receiving yards and one touchdown. Each wide receiver had their highlight-reel moments with acrobatic catches and explosive plays after the catch. Jones ended up coming out on top in a 24-20 victory.

The win required a fourth-quarter comeback, where the Falcons scored two touchdowns and held the Giants scoreless. It was a major morale booster for them to start 2-0 following two hugely disappointing seasons. Led by their superstar wide receiver and franchise quarterback with a new coaching staff, they were getting back to winning games.

Early Changes​


One of the initial drastic differences between Kyle Shanahan and Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator came from a major increase in quick pass plays designed for Jones. In Koetter’s offense, he would run more vertically on the outside followed by either a comeback, dig, or go route. With Shanahan, it was a priority to get him the ball instantly on slants, quick outs, and bubble screens.

Putting Jones in a position to catch quick passes and pick up easy chunk gains was something that rarely happened in his first four seasons. That significantly changed the following year, as he was the driving force behind the offense’s success in 2015. That led to improvements in key areas, such as third-down conversions, where the Falcons converted 11 of 17 against the Giants. Jones only averaged 10.4 yards per catch in this game, but he made multiple catches on third down to keep the chains moving.

Reeling in 13 receptions on 15 targets underscored how frequently and effectively Matt Ryan was throwing Jones the ball in mostly high-percentage scenarios. The Falcons wanted to exploit the space underneath while getting into an offensive rhythm.

Unfortunately due to the team’s inability to run the ball, they struggled to find a consistent flow. Ryan was unable to push the ball downfield in scenarios where it was to be expected for him to be more aggressive. That changed in the second half.

Superman​


Starting at the two-yard line faced with a three-point deficit with eight minutes to go, the Falcons had to get going offensively. A deep shot off play action in your end zone isn’t exactly an ideal way to start a drive in those circumstances.

While Ryan received strong protection, it’s still dangerous for a pressing quarterback struggling to connect with his receivers downfield to be put in a position to throw the ball 15 to 20 yards with the possibility of holding onto the ball for too long causing a safety or taking a massive risk throwing the ball into traffic for a possible interception.

Ryan did exactly the latter where a retreating Brandon Meriweather was in prime position to capitalize on a poor decision. Jones had other ideas, turning a certain interception into a preposterous 18-yard reception. The way he was able to turn his body to rise above Meriweather to make a clean play on the ball is one thing. The way Julio corrals the ball in mid-air with his right hand and maintains possession crashing to the ground to complete the reception, while his body is swerving, made it such a remarkable catch.

This was the first NFL game I ever covered as a credentialed media member. As a 22-year-old who wanted to maintain full professionalism, I stayed silent trying to comprehend how Jones made that grab. The late great Vaughn McClure said it best to me in the press box: “Julio is not human. Enjoy every bit of seeing him in person, brother.”

Jones was far from done. After taking a big hit from Landon Collins on a 17-yard reception down the seam, he would make one more stellar play to complete the comeback win. The superhuman wide receiver blazed past Prince Amukamara on a go route to give Ryan the look he needed to take a shot downfield.

There was no questioning the throw, as he hit Jones in stride for a 37-yard completion. Jones’ impressive release left Amukamara struggling behind, forcing him to do just enough to keep him out of the end zone.

Devonta Freeman finished what proved to be the game-winning drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Jones ended up having seven games with more than the 135 receiving yards he produced against the Giants.

While he was more productive in other matchups, the significance of this game with two highlight-reel catches made it stand out in a season filled with memorable performances for Jones. Comeback road wins must always be greatly valued. Jones helped deliver one to build toward what became a 5-0 start for the Falcons.

The Legend of Julio Jones: Greatest Games List

Another memorable Monday night

Historic night in Lambeau

College Rivalry Reignited

Playoff explosion

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-giants-matt-ryan-odell-beckham-kyle-shanahan
 
Falcons storylines that matter with Joe Patrick: The Falcoholic Live, Ep333

NFL: Atlanta Falcons Minicamp

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons have wrapped up their offseason program, with training camp next on the schedule. Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic are joined by Joe Patrick to break down the Falcons storylines that matter from OTAs and minicamp.

The Atlanta Falcons have wrapped up their offseason program, with training camp next on the schedule. Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic are joined by Joe Patrick to break down the Falcons storylines that matter from OTAs and minicamp, including Michael Penix Jr. and the rookie class, and potential trades for Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube beginning at 8 PM ET​


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We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...oe-patrick-nfl-2025-the-falcoholic-live-ep333
 
5 Falcons chosen for ESPN’s All-Quarter-Century team

NFL: NFC Championship-San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Do you agree with their choices? Who’s missing?

Twenty-five years. It’s been 25 years since the new millennium started, and the game of football has transitioned into a completely new era than when the 2000 Baltimore Ravens held 75% of their regular season opponents to 14 points or less.

Offenses have never been more dominant than in the past quarter century, and one of the teams that found unprecedented success because of their offensive output was the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta was top-10 in points scored seven times (2002, 2008, 2010-2012, 2016, 2018), matching their mark of seven times before the year 2000. Six out of those seven times, they made the playoffs and, for the first time in franchise history, went to the playoffs in back-to-back years.

One of the key components of that success was the health of the passing game. From 2000, the Falcons ranked 10th in the NFL in EPA/dropback and dropback success rate, according to rbsdm.com. While that is impressive, the real game-changing move occurred in 2008, when the franchise acquired Matt Ryan. During Ryan’s tenure as a Falcon (2008-2022), he led the Falcons to the fifth-best EPA/play, seventh-best success rate, fifth-best EPA/dropback, and fourth-best dropback success rate.

But Ryan couldn’t do it on his own. He needed guys who could get open and do something with the football once it was in their hands. While guys like Roddy White, Harry Douglas, and Calvin Ridley were all key components to the passing game, two pass-catchers in particular made sure that Ryan’s transition to the NFL was a successful one, and both of them were recognized in ESPN’s Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder’s All Quarter Century Team. There was also a third, controversial Falcon named in this article that contributed a good bit to Atlanta’s passing success.

On defense/special teams, two Falcons that made quick, yet impactful, cameos for the team were recognized, as well.

Julio Jones​

Accomplishments: 13,703 total receiving yards (16th All-Time), 136 receptions in 2015 (T-4th most in a single season), 1,871 yards in 2015 (Third-most in a single season), 82.5 yards/game (Fifth-most All-Time), 66 receiving TDs, five-time All-Pro​

If we look at every player’s three best seasons by receiving yards this quarter century, no wideout’s top three years matched Jones’ total of 5,141 — four yards ahead of Johnson. If we do the same exercise for each player’s five best seasons, Jones again sits at the top. Best seven? Still Jones.

Also, with all due respect to Matt Ryan, Jones did not have a Hall of Fame quarterback throwing to him the way other receivers on this list did. Though he never won a ring, Jones’ miraculous sideline grab in Super Bowl LI helped the Falcons get awfully close to one.

Once Thomas Dimitroff made that fateful draft-day trade to acquire Julio Jones in 2011, the stage was set for the Falcons to compete, not just for playoff spots, but for championships. Jones’ run from 2014-2019 was a run of consistency that you simply don’t see. Five straight years of 1400+ receiving yards, and missing the sixth by only six yards in 2019. And though Jones was never able to hoist the Lombardi like he deserved to, there is no doubt that he will be donning a gold jacket in five years, after officially calling it a career on April 4th this year.


Every @juliojones_11 touchdown of his Atlanta career https://t.co/4yVnQQsWkZ pic.twitter.com/RoJ0kHsw9y

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 5, 2025

The other pass-catcher on this list already has his gold jacket and continues to be the standard at the tight end position.

Tony Gonzalez​

Accomplishments: 1,325 receptions (3rd All-Time, 1st among TEs), 15,127 receiving yards (6th All-Time, 1st Among TEs), 111 receiving TDs (8th All-Time, 2nd among TEs), nine-time All-Pro​

Gonzalez was great year after year after year in a career that seemingly went on forever. He led all tight ends in receiving DYAR seven different times and ranked in the top five in 12 out of the 14 seasons we’re considering for this exercise. His career total in receptions (1,325) is still an all-time high for tight ends and ranks third highest of any player all time.

Before boldly trading up in the 2011 draft for Jones, Dimitroff traded a 2010 second-round pick to secure the services of then-33-year-old tight end Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez gave a young Ryan the big-bodied target necessary to take the passing game to the next level. Over his time as a Falcon, Gonzalez was the face of consistency, achieving a receiving success rate of 60% or above in his final three seasons. Combined with Jones in his second year, the 2012 Falcons hit 300+ passing yards in six games that season, and gave Gonzalez his sixth, and final, first-team All-Pro nod.


First game was in 05 in Charlotte, Falcons got whooped 24-6.

First game in ATL was 9/13/2009. My 19th bday and Tony Gonzalez’ first game as a Falcon. Much better memories from that one. https://t.co/ueWS2MTpiq pic.twitter.com/31weVlOpZl

— The Millennial Falcon (@solonerfherder) December 7, 2023

The next Falcon on this list will bring up some mixed feelings, but given his impact on the franchise’s success, not to mention the game in general, there’s no doubt that he deserves the recognition.

Kyle Shanahan​

Accomplishments: Offensive Coordinator/Head Coach for six top-ten offenses, including four top-five offenses. Helped lead ten teams to top-ten passing offenses in Net Yards per Attempt, including nine top-five offenses.​

Our criteria for the coordinators was that head coaches were allowed as long as they spent some time as a coordinator in this quarter century. Shanahan — along with Sean McVay and the resulting coaching tree — proliferated a schematic shift across the league that happened to be quite successful.

Teams coordinated or coached by Shanahan averaged 0.06 EPA per play (postseason included), including three seasons where they ranked top two in DVOA and six seasons in the top six. Shanahan’s statistical success is notable given that he usually hasn’t had elite quarterbacks playing for him — the quarterback with the most playing time under him is Jimmy Garoppolo.

While Shanahan may be a polarizing figure in most Falcons circles, what he did for the Falcons in his two years in Atlanta can’t be ignored. He helped lead Ryan to an incredible, MVP season in 2016, and got the most out of an offense filled with talent. While Super Bowl LI will always be a horrid stain on his resume, the season that preceded was nothing short of magical.

The 2016 Falcons offense ranked:

  • 1st in Points Scored
  • 2nd in Total Yards
  • 3rd in Passing Yards
  • 2nd in Passing TDs
  • 1st in Net Yards/Attempt
  • 5th in Rushing Yards
  • 3rd in Rushing TDs
  • 5th in Rushing Yards/Attempt
  • 1st in Yards/Drive
  • 1st in Points/Drive
  • 1st in EPA/play
  • 1st in Success Rate
  • 1st in EPA/Dropback
  • 1st in Dropback Success Rate
  • 3rd in EPA/Rush and
  • 6th in Rushing Success Rate

October 2, 2016: Falcons 48 Panthers 33

Matt Ryan: 29/37 503yds 4TDs
Julio Jones: 12rec 300yds 1TD pic.twitter.com/nta01I9bdo

— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) October 3, 2022

Calais Campbell​

Accomplishments: 917 combined tackles (651 solo), 187 tackles for loss (3rd All-Time), 110.5 sacks, 3 safeties forced (T-5th All Time), 18 forced fumbles, three-time All-Pro​

Though Campbell has had the benefit of a 17-year (and counting!) career, his numbers are truly quite remarkable. He’s only one sack shy of passing Donald’s career total, while his total plus-EPA ranks fourth among all players and first among interior defenders. Campbell has moved around a lot over his career, but he’d play the 3-technique for this team (that’s the position he has played the most since NFL Next Gen Stats tracking data started in 2017).

Over the last quarter century, there hasn’t been much to celebrate for the Falcons as far as defense is concerned (Atlanta ranks 30th in both EPA/play and defensive success rate since 2000). However, one of the few signings in the past few years that has worked out was the signing of then-37-year-old Calais Campbell. Campbell helped lead the Falcons to the top rushing defense in terms of EPA/rush and tied the team lead for sacks with 6.5.

While the 2023 Falcons didn’t give fans much to cheer about, Campbell and the completion of his quest to 100 sacks on his career was a moment we all could cheer for.


1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ from the skies

NFL+ pic.twitter.com/cqbXBOqmsg

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 17, 2023

Devin Hester​

Accomplishments: 5 kick return TDs (T-9th All Time), 14 punt return TDs (1st All Time), 7,333 kick return yards (12th All Time), 3,695 punt return yards (3rd All Time), four-time All-Pro​

Though Hester is remembered for scoring on the opening kickoff in Super Bowl XLI, he was actually more prolific as a punt returner. Fourteen of his return touchdowns came off punts; no other player recorded more than four in that same span. In 2024, he became the first return specialist to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Devin Hester may be one of the few players in NFL history that can be called a return specialist and it be treated as a compliment. Hester remains the standard for punt returns, and showed his versatility by taking five kick returns to the house as well over his 11-year career.

As a Falcon, Hester also showcased his hands, hauling in 38 receptions for 504 yards, but that’s not why we’re here. In 2014, his last full season of playing, he showcased that he was one of the baddest to ever run under a football with a scintillating 62-yard punt return touchdown to break Deion Sanders’ punt-return touchdown record.


On this day in 2014, Devin Hester broke Deion Sanders' record for return TDs with his 20th ever. He did so while playing for the Falcons, paying homage to Sanders - who was there - by high-stepping into the end zone.

Hester is Hall of Fame eligible for the first time in 2022. pic.twitter.com/i1PMKJtc4b

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 18, 2021

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...lcons-history-roster-all-quarter-century-team
 
Are Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier the NFL’s best RB duo? Falcons RB review

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Do the Falcons have the NFL’s best RB duo in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier? Kevin Knight breaks down Atlanta’s depth chart at running back, discussing the dynamic duo along with the options behind them.

Do the Atlanta Falcons have the NFL’s best RB duo in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier? I break down Atlanta’s depth chart at running back, discussing the dynamic duo along with the options behind them. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.

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You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ls-best-rb-duo-falcons-roster-review-nfl-2025
 
Friday Falconry: Who wins the kicker battle?

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Atlanta has an honest-to-goodness fight on its hand for the first time in years.

The last time the Atlanta Falcons had an honest-to-goodness summer kicker battle was 2019, when Giorgio Tavecchio had a very ugly knife fight with Blair Walsh for duties and ultimately both lost, with the team rushing to bring back Matt Bryant after unceremoniously cutting ties with the franchise great that February. Younghoe Koo would take over from a struggling Bryant midseason, and has held down the job ever since.

While there has been light grumbling about competition for Koo, his performance hadn’t warranted that talk aside from the natural reaction to a couple of big missed kicks. That changed in a major way in 2024, as Koo missed a career-high nine kicks and finished in the bottom 10% of the league in field goal percentage, which came after he went from missing just two field goals per season in 2020 and 2021 to five each year in 2022 and 2023. Injury played a role in those outsized struggles, but the Falcons aren’t going to just assume Koo is bouncing back.

That’s why they went out and signed Lenny Krieg, the intriguing young kicker out of Germany who will compete head-to-head with Koo this summer. Teams were in hot pursuit of Kreig after a quality season in Europe and an impressive performance at the Combine, and the Falcons signing him to a three year deal and going after him with such ardor suggests he has a real shot to unseat the team’s incumbent since partway through the 2019 season.

With Koo being relatively easy to cut and last year’s issues, I don’t think you can wave this one away. The only complicating factor, as Terrin Waack noted in the article linked above, is that Krieg can be designated as the team’s International Pathways Program player for the 2025 season if he doesn’t win the battle, which gives the team a way to keep him around (without taking up a roster spot) if Koo looks like he’s ready to go.

So who wins this battle? Sound off in the comments.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ns-the-kicker-battle-younghoe-koo-lenny-krieg
 
Breaking down the NFC South: The hated Saints look woeful

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Doubling down for years has cost the Saints, and they should continue to pay the piper in 2025.

For a long time, the New Orleans Saints were one of the darlings of the NFL mediasphere. This was a dual function of lamprey-in-a-human-suit Sean Payton attaching himself to reporters and a sustained level of small market competence the rest of the NFC South simply didn’t measure up to. From 2009 to 2013, the Saints were one of the better teams in the NFC minus one 7-9 season, and they rebounded from three straight 7-9 campaigns to post five straight winning seasons from 2017 to 2021. That plus a relentlessly attention-seeking head coach and a few standout stars will get you plenty of respect, and the Saints reveled in it.

Those days are over. While they exceeded expectations and went 9-8 in 2023, they went 7-10 in 2022 and 5-12 in 2024, turning in a -60 point differential last year and cycling quarterbacks and coaches along the way. They have a new head coach and a new starting quarterback in 2025 with Derek Carr retiring, but this is nobody’s idea of a great roster, filled as it is with young players still needing to prove themselves, free agent signings that had to be made on a budget, and stars who are aging out of greatness. The Saints have an annoying habit of sticking around and staying relevant when you’ve counted them out, and perhaps they will climb out of the muck they find themselves in sometime in the back half of this decade.

Now, though? The Saints seem like a strong bet to find themselves in the basement of the NFC South, which is why I’m kicking off a divisional opponent review with them with no small amount of glee.

How last year went​


It was a disaster, though they still beat the Falcons once because they’re the most annoying team in the world.

After a blazing hot start that saw the Saints go 2-0 and get Derek Carr bewildering MVP buzz, the team predictably crashed down to earth. Carr got Olave hurt on a hospital ball, Kamara went from putting up five touchdowns to managing just three over the rest of the season, and Carr himself ended up hurt, cratering the offense. So after winning their first two games, the Saints lost their next seven, which got Dennis Allen fired hard in favor of high-end special teams weirdo Darren Rizzi, who turned around and went 3-5 the rest of the way.

The end result was the worst record (5-12) that the Saints have had since the 2005 season, and the big collapse the team has been flirting with by doubling down on a creaky roster for years. Would it be the wakeup call New Orleans leadership needed to blow it up and start over?

How the Saints have changed​


To answer the question in the previous paragraph: Not really, but kind of. The Saints have avoided adding more fuel to the raging cap fire they’ve stoked for years, which counts as a kind of progress. The Saints are only set to be $19.7 million over the cap heading into 2026, which puts them ahead of the Chiefs ($24.6 million) and Vikings ($51 million) instead of by far in last place in terms of space available.

The team doesn’t have it in their DNA to try to crater and endure a couple of giving up years, as they still managed to free up space to sign free agents, but the departure of Derek Carr gave them some cash back and put them in a place where they’re reliant on two young, underwhelming quarterback options. The net effect will likely be pretty dismal, but there was at least a game effort to try to keep this thing on the surface of the water from Mickey Loomis, who does not appear to know how to do anything but press the big red button that says “KEEP GOING.”

The offense has only changed in a handful of spots, but all of them are significant. Rookie tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has a ton of potential—the Falcons were rumored to have some level of interest in him—but isn’t guaranteed to hit the ground running. Second-year tackle Taliese Fuaga has made the shift to right tackle to accommodate Banks, and underwhelming tackle Trevor Penning is now penciled in at left guard, leaving the Saints with two high-end options at center and right guard and a lot of question marks. The addition of Brandin Cooks gives the team a big upgrade over the likes of A.T. Perry and Mason Tipton, but Cooks is going to be 32 this season and is coming off the quietest season of his career after appearing in just 10 games.

This is an odd mismash of an offense, then, where they’re counting on beating Father Time in spots while elevating young talent in others. I don’t think there’s enough here to rise above average, though Olave, Cooks, and Kamara are all capable of stretches of greatness.

The defense has changed less drastically. Isaac Yiadom is a downgrade even on the busted version of Marshon Lattimore we’ve seen of late, while Justin Reid is a clear upgrade over what the Saints had a safety a year ago. Up front, they’re largely reliant on the same solid (but relatively thin) group plus Devon Godchaux, who had a mediocre but durable year with the Patriots.

When you go 5-12, significant upgrades are needed to bounce back. The Saints clearly think they will get better health and better performances from their incumbents, one of their young quarterbacks will take off, and additions like Cooks, Reid, and Godchaux will change their trajectory. If they believe that, they’re delusional or they’re hoping their fans are, because this team is looking like a microwaved bag of mediocrity.

2025 scenarios​

Best case​


Either Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough ends up being a pleasant surprise, Chris Olave stays healthy, and veterans like Alvin Kamara, Brandin Cooks, and Juwan Johnson stave off ailments and age to help the Saints deliver a surprisingly competent offense. The defense gets high-end contributions from new additions like Devon Godchaux and Justin Reid, young would-be stars like Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor grow into terrific play, and a middling pass rush does enough to keep them in games.

That in flux roster, guided by new coach Kellen Moore, is unexpectedly feisty in a shaky NFC South. They end the year 8-9...which might still be good for last but probably puts them third.

Worst case​


This is a team gunning for the #1 overall pick in a year where Arch Manning decides to stay in school. Shough and Rattler both quickly prove to be backup-caliber quarterbacks, Kamara shows his age, Chris Olave is hurt again, and a re-tooled offensive line just isn’t good enough to lift those disparate pieces up. The defense disappoints outside of a tiny handful of stars, particularly in a rebuilt secondary, and Moore doesn’t prove to be the kind of wizardly head coach who can make chicken cordon bleu out of chicken crap.

These Saints finish 4-13 and dead last in the NFC South, and Mickey Loomis somehow keeps his job and promises New Orleans will contend in 2026 despite being over the cap with a hideous roster. This is the worst case scenario for the Saints, but the best case scenario for certified Saints haters like...well, like all of us.

Likely case​


Sometimes the likely case is just one of the poles; in this case, the Saints will likely end up smack dab in the middle.

So much depends on the quarterback play from Shough, Rattler, or both. Shough is an old, skittish prospect with a terrific arm and a major injury history; he’s like Diet Michael Penix Lite with zero caffeine on those last two items. Rattler is, I believe, a better quarterback but not one who put together anything inspiring in 2024 to make me believe he can excel with a similarly lackluster Saints roster. Both will likely make starts in 2025; neither is likely to be better than a below average starter.

The rest of the offense has real talent (Olave, Kamara, Rashid Shaheed) but only Kamara benefits from the kind of checkdown-heavy quarterbacking that can result from shaky play at tackle and one guard spot. Kamara is also 30 years old and has never appeared in a full NFL season as a starting running back, while Olave has been dealing with plenty of injuries himself. The defense has quality pieces from Pete Werner to Demario Davis to Justin Reid, but many of their best players are older, too, and the depth is much shakier than it once was. Outside of Reid, the secondary is an obvious trouble spot unless McKinstry takes a big step forward, and even then it would be a mixed bag.

Does that sound like a would-be contender to you? It doesn’t to me, and I think the best the Saints can hope for is that it’s enough to carry them to six wins. I ultimately think they’ll wind up with five or six and a cozy home in the basement of the NFC South, where I hope they forever remain.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...eful-spencer-rattler-justin-reid-kellen-moore
 
Checking in on the Falcons active all-time leaders on defense and special teams

NFL: New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Who’s at the top of the leaderboards? Names you’d suspect, by and large.

The Atlanta Falcons have an exciting, pretty young offense to roll out, and they’re trying to get younger on defense as well. It will not surprise you to learn that with an exception or two, the defense and special teams active leaderboards for a host of statistics are nonetheless veterans, from big name free agent signings to homegrown stars to players who took a unique journey to Atlanta.

We’re very much in the quiet part of the summer, so now’s a fine time to look at those leaderboards for defense and special teams. Let’s do so now.

Defense​


Tackles: 233, A.J. Terrell, 34th

Interceptions: 10, Jessie Bates, 24th

Sacks: 14.5, Arnold Ebiketie, 35th

Tackles for a loss: 14, David Onyemata, 33rd

Quarterback hits: 35, Arnold Ebiketie, 8th

Interceptions returned for touchdowns: 2, Jessie Bates, 10th

Pass Deflections: 49, A.J. Terrell, 5th

Forced Fumbles: 7, Jessie Bates, 14th

Safeties: 1, Dee Alford/Zach Harrison, tied for 4th



The players on this list are largely the ones you’d expect. Ebiketie has been the team’s most consistent pass rushing threat over the past three seasons (as depressing as that is, given his modest sack totals), Bates is the author of big plays at a clip that makes him a real threat to best the team’s all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns, forced fumbles, and so forth, and Terrell has been around long enough and has played well enough to be rolling through pass deflections and tackles. The only surprises here might be tackles for a loss with David Onyemata—again, per Pro Football Reference’s numbers—and the safety total.

Bates is the mind-boggling one, as he’s authored some of the biggest plays in recent memory in a very short stint in Atlanta. To put his numbers in some perspective, the all-time record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in Atlanta belongs to Deion Jones with five, and only Deion Sanders and Kevin Mathis have more than Bates’ two. Bates’ seven forced fumbles are a long way behind all-time leader John Abraham’s 24, but he’s third on the all-time list for forced fumbles from a defensive back, behind Keanu Neal (8) and William Moore (11) and has a realistic shot to catch both.

Fascinatingly, Alford and Harrison represent nearly 1/8th of the team’s all-time safety total and they’re both currently playing for Atlanta. The Falcons only have 17 all-time safeties.

Special teams​

Returns​


Punt returns: 20, Dee Alford, 33rd

Punt return yardage: 160, Dee Alford, 32nd

Punt return average: 8.0 yards, Dee Alford, 39th

Kick returns: 14, Ray-Ray McCloud, 56th

Kick return yardage: 361, Ray-Ray McCloud, 46th

Kick return average: 25.8, Ray-Ray McCloud, 12th



With Avery Williams departing, this list really only has one year of work on it for both punt and kick returns. Alford isn’t going to be in the mix often for punt returns unless he’s A) a backup and B) something happens to Jamal Agnew, but McCloud should build on these numbers in his second season handling kickoffs. He did a fine job last year.

Kicking​


Field goal attempts: 202, Younghoe Koo, 3rd

Field goals made: 176, Younghoe Koo, 3rd

Field goal percentage: 87.1%, Younghoe Koo, 2nd

Extra point attempts: 171, Younghoe Koo, 4th

Extra points made: 164, Younghoe Koo, 4th

Extra point percentage: 95.9%, Younghoe Koo, 10th

Kickoffs: 190, Younghoe Koo, 5th

Kickoff yards: 11,870, Younghoe Koo, 5th

Touchbacks: 91, Younghoe Koo, 3rd

Kickoff yardage average: 62.5, Younghoe Koo, 7th



This is a reminder that Koo, despite last year’s implosion, has been a pretty terrific option for the Falcons. He’s capably handled kickoffs, come up with a bunch of clutch kicks, and has really only fallen behind all-time greats like Matt Bryant and Morten Andersen in extra point percentage. If this is it for Koo in Atlanta—and it might be after the Lenny Krieg signing—he’s had a remarkable second career after the Chargers unwisely and unceremoniously dumped him early on.

Punting​


Punts: 184, Bradley Pinion, 9th

Punting yards: 8,577, Bradley Pinion, 9th

Yards per punt: 46.6, Bradley Pinion, 3rd

Net yards per punt: 40.4, Bradley Pinion, tied for 3rd

Touchbacks: 9, Bradley Pinion, 9th

Touchback percentage: 4.9%, Bradley Pinion, 2nd

Inside the 20 punts: 64, Bradley Pinion, 8th

Inside the 20 percenatage: 34.8%, Bradley Pinion, 2nd



Volume-wise, Pinion is never going to catch some Falcons punters of yesteryear, given that this team used to have to punt a lot. He’s also not quite the caliber of punter that Matthew Bosher was, if for no other reason than the lack of highlight reel hits. But Pinion has been one of the more efficient and effective punters this team has had, even if he’s not among the tops of the tops in his peer group NFL-wide over the past few years. The Falcons are hoping he’ll bounce back from a relative down year in 2024.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...fense-special-teams-younghoe-koo-jessie-bates
 
Falcons post-draft roster review: Toward a sturdier defensive line

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The Falcons are relying on youth supplemented by veterans to try to forge something better up front, but growth is a must.

The Atlanta Falcons made the kind of moves in 2024 that indicated a youth movement was on the way for their defensive line. It just didn’t actually happen that way in 2024.

In 2025, though? Three of the team’s most vital defenders up front will be young guys in their second or third NFL season, while one older starter and a pair of older rotational options will mix in. They’ve lost living legend Grady Jarrett and haven’t made meaningful investments—their biggest signing on the defensive line was Morgan Fox, a mighty useful player but not a high-end starter—meaning those young players will be counted on to grow, provide meaningful snaps all season long, and lift a line that wasn’t impressive last year.

Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie has talked about sending waves of pass rushers, and I expect every player on the roster who is listed at defensive line to have a genuine gameday role most weeks as a result. All we can do is try to tease out who will have a larger role in that inevitable rotation, and here’s how I’d line things up before training camp kicks off.

Leads in the rotation​


David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, Zach Harrison

Onyemata’s role is a bit speculative right now, but he’s by far the most established player in this group and had a few very strong games last year. If he’s healthy and the wheels don’t come off, Onyemata figures to play more than anybody else in this group. It’s just fair to suggest that’s not a given considering that he’ll turn 33 this season and wasn’t the game-wrecking force consistently in 2024 that he was in 2023, though a more aggressive front under Jeff Ulbrich and Nate Ollie can’t hurt his chances of contributing.

Ruke is a player I’m genuinely excited about. In limited opportunities to prove his worth a year ago, he showed us moments where his power and savvy made him tough to defend as a pass rusher and more moments where he looked very difficult to stop against the run. The trick will be displaying more consistency and building on that 2024 glimpse, but I fully expect Orhorhoro to get a shot to be a quote-unquote starter in this group, and he should be mighty useful against the run at minimum. The question is whether he’ll build the kind of pass rushing toolkit necessary to be a three down force.

Harrison has been asked to play multiple roles already in his short career, which should pay off this year when the team asks him to play all along the line, including potentially coming off the edge on early downs. Everything I’ve seen from Harrison to this point suggests he’s a talented, relentless defender who can excel against the run and make tackles and guards alike miserable trying to keep him away from quarterbacks. A little more consistency and a lot more playing time will do wonders for him in 2025.

Significant roles​


Brandon Dorlus, Morgan Fox

The coaching staff has talked up Dorlus and I believe them, but we need to see what his role looks like after he was essentially mothballed in year one. A potent pass rusher in college, Dorlus is likely to get some work as a big EDGE in certain packages and on early downs, but time will tell if he can carve out consistent work on the interior on third downs. If he can, Dorlus might become a de facto starter in this group. Again, we’ll give it time.

Fox is a consistently below average run defender who finds a way to knife into the backfield, meaning that while he doesn’t deliver consistent results, he comes up with tackles for a loss and can be really disruptive as a pass rusher. His run defense should make his role on early downs fairly small if everyone else is healthy, but Fox will asked to rotate in on obvious passing downs where he can make his mark.

Reserves and roster hopefuls​


Kentavius Street, Ta’Quon Graham, LaCale London, Simeon Barrow Jr.

You have three holdovers and one new face here.

Street is a decent rotational piece who probably shouldn’t be playing more than a dozen snaps a game, but offers competent run defense and (very) occasional pressure. For the price he’s signed at, Street offers experience and a level of play the coaching staff is comfortable with and is thus likely to make the roster, even if it’s as the last man in the rotation.

Graham may be competing with him for that spot. A really solid player who offers plenty as a run defender but little as a pass rusher, Graham is coming off a significant injury but belongs on a roster without a lot of proven run stopping options. So long as he’s healthy, he’s likely to latch on unless the team really winnows down their defensive line group. The consistent solid play when he’s healthy means he should, ideally, have a larger role than Street on early downs.

London might be the odd man out here, which is a shame given that he looked like a plus run defender in his own right in the limited glimpses we got of him in 2023. Last year, London was a practice squad fixture, and his experience with this team and strength against the run should have him returning to a spot there until/unless he is needed.

Barrow is a roster longshot but seems worth keeping around on the practice squad, as he has the kind of quickness and disruptive ability to be a useful interior pass rusher down the line. A good summer should help him make the case to stick around.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...r-defensive-line-zach-harrison-ruke-orhorhoro
 
Falcons TE Charlie Woerner accepted into Tight End University, Kyle Pitts to take a gap year

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The team’s vital blocking tight end is headed back to school.

Summer school is already underway, and the best in the business are getting together to share notes from their fall/winter semester.

“Summits,” “conferences,” “boot camps,” and other terms synonymous with consulting scams and workplace education (coincidence?) have become popular events for NFL players during the dead period of summer.

The OL Mastermind Summit, founded by Duke Manyweather, was the first to gain traction. The best offensive linemen in the country get together annually in Frisco, Texas. Tight End University is the most notable to come after it.

George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Greg Olsen founded Tight End University to bring the tight end community together for an immersive three-day program.

The Atlanta Falcons will have at least one member in attendance, the battering ram known as Charlie Woerner. The former Georgia Bulldog carved out a role for himself in 2024 and forced the staff to utilize his blocking skills as much as possible. He was part of a budget-friendly trio of free-agent additions (Woerner, Mooney, and McCloud) that exceeded their expectations.


1st & 6 | 1st Q 9:01 | ATL 0 - MIN 0

Great call. Spinner split-zone with Woerner as the motion man. Play-side interior blocking wins off the snap. Look at Pitts set the edge, and drive 43. Allgeier gets a one-on-one with the safety in the hole. pic.twitter.com/r1yDphc89o

— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) December 9, 2024

Woerner’s shortcomings come in as a receiver, where he offers very little outside of security valve routes. Perhaps some education from the likes of Kelce and Kittle could turn him into late-stage Jason Witten, where he’s moving at a speed so slow everyone runs by him by mistake.

Kyle Pitts will not be in attendance. He was the belle of the ball during the university’s inauguration in 2021. However, Pitts has been dealing with an undisclosed foot injury that left him sidelined during OTAs. It wouldn’t be a great look to have missed those team workouts and then be fully active for a fake school. It is also important to note he’s gone every year, but I’ll let the commenters debate the results of his higher education.

It’s been reported that Pitts has still been getting work in with Michael Penix Jr. this summer, and that’s really all that matters. However, I’m sure his doubters will show this to you as proof that he’s [insert hyperbole here].


A few things on this:

- Penix said he’s been throwing with Pitts this offseason and said he “looks great.”

- Raheem Morris, while declining to speak about the reported injury, said the team is being “extra cautious” in the situation.

- In recent weeks, Falcons coaches (namely… https://t.co/6ciIvfNXeV

— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) June 2, 2025

It’s always nice to see players putting in extra hours, but it is important to remember that they are people, too, and this is their time off. If their–and, by extension, the team’s–success hinges on a three-day summer camp, the season is already lost.

If your team’s players skip these events, don’t panic. Relax and catch some sun because there’s a good chance they’re doing the same thing.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-end-university-kyle-pitts-to-take-a-gap-year
 
Will the Falcons make the playoffs in 2025? ft. Brice Lewis: The Falcoholic Live, Ep334

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

After another busy offseason, we once again come to the critical question: have the Falcons done enough to reach the playoffs in 2025? Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic are joined by Brice Lewis to discuss Atlanta’s chances of finally reaching the postseason.

After another busy offseason full of free agency and NFL Draft moves, we once again come to the critical question: have the Atlanta Falcons done enough to finally reach the playoffs in 2025? Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic are joined by Brice Lewis to discuss Atlanta’s chances of reaching the postseason, including what needs to go right and what can’t go wrong if the Falcons are to finally reach the Wild Card round and beyond. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube beginning at 8 PM ET​


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You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-nfl-ft-brice-lewis-the-falcoholic-live-ep334
 
Arthur Blank testified injuries factored into Falcons’ decision not to pursue Lamar Jackson

NFL: Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There were legitimate business reasons to not pursue Lamar Jackson, but Atlanta’s quarterback situation today still raises questions.

It’s been two years and four starting quarterbacks since the spring of Lamar Jackson’s free agency. The Atlanta Falcons entered that free agency cycle with unproven third-round pick Desmond Ridder as their quarterback.

They left with Taylor Heinicke and zero outgoing calls to the Baltimore Ravens — an equation that befuddled many across the country and caused frustrations to boil over during a volatile 2023 season.

Why?

Why didn’t the Falcons pursue Lamar Jackson? Why did the entire league take that same approach? Today, Pablo Torre and Mike Florio (nightmare cop duo) shed some light on the situation, and the answer is simple: collusion (allegedly).

Torre got his hands on the 61-page collusion ruling, and it includes never-before-disclosed details about specific player negotiations, most notably Lamar Jackson. I reviewed the document myself for this piece.

The ruling discloses the results of extensive discovery and a private hearing involving witness testimony from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, prominent quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, and Russell Wilson), eight owners, NFLPA leaders, and various agents and executives. It also details a private presentation for all 32 NFL owners at an annual meeting following the Cleveland Browns’ unprecedented, fully guaranteed contract for Deshaun Watson.

Torre’s breakdown is worth your time; however, my focus is on Arthur Blank’s involvement.

Blank was one of the eight owners who testified, and his comments revealed why the team did not pursue Lamar. Per the ruling, Blank testified that Jackson’s injuries were factors in the Falcons public decision not to pursue the quarterback.

As a reminder, the Falcons publicly stated they would not pursue the MVP, something we have never seen the team do before or after this isolated incident involving a player on the market. And why would they? It is a bad approach to business. To add insult to injury, the team was so excited to sign Kirk Cousins despite a ruptured Achilles a year later that they committed a tampering violation.

Blank also testified that keeping their quarterback (Desmond Ridder) rather than pursuing Jackson gave them more cap flexibility. It’s a true statement, but it doesn’t justify passing up on a talent like Lamar, who would win his second MVP in 2023. How would the Falcons even know his cost was too high without making a call?


Here are the two main testimonies involving Arthur Blank and the 61-page collusion ruling unearthed by @PabloTorre pic.twitter.com/BIboUvoYxD

— Tre’Shon (@tre3shon) June 24, 2025

The NFL did not want to see another player get a contract like Deshaun Watson’s, and the Falcons played ball. The 61-page document revealed details about a closed-door owners’ meeting. The meeting contained a slide deck focusing on signing bonuses and salary guarantees. Presenters pointed out the uptick in dead cap and other non-fungible business areas. This presentation was conveniently put together after Deshaun Watson signed his guaranteed deal, but the league insists the events were unrelated.

Arthur Blank was among the few owners willing to testify about this slide deck. Blank doesn’t recall that the message was that the use of signing bonuses was inherently bad, and he also points out that this would contradict past presentations. He said he did talk to Falcons personnel about it; however, he is adamant that it did not affect the team’s ability to think for itself and that it’s up to each team to manage information gained from these meetings how they see fit.

There are many reasons—legitimate and illegitimate—why Atlanta would remove itself from the process, but without ever doing the work to come to that conclusion, they have been exposed to these allegations. After learning the reasoning behind this lack of action, what occurred behind closed doors is clear.

In 2024, Atlanta was willing to give Kirk Cousins $100M in guaranteed money over two years. In 2023, Jackson eventually agreed to a $135M guaranteed contract that spanned five years (total value of $260M). The Falcons bypassed cap flexibility by adding Michael Penix Jr. to the fold. That approach starkly contrasts with Blank’s description of Atlanta’s preferred model of operation.


I have to admit: Tampering for Kirk Cousins only to draft his replacement at 8 two months later is incredibly hilarious

— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) April 26, 2024

Cousins was a far more risky investment than Lamar from an injury standpoint. Lamar did miss time in back-to-back Decembers, but the injuries weren’t catastrophic in nature, and he was in the prime of his youth (he still is).

The quarterback investments of 2024 put a financial squeeze on the organization. The team had to let players like Drew Dalman and Grady Jarrett walk while simultaneously reeling in Leonard Floyd and displaying him like a trophy fish.

Did the team learn a lesson from the Lamar situation? That seems unlikely. The team's moves continue the franchise’s pattern of going all in on one thing and hoping everything else holds up long enough to squeeze into the playoffs, the playbook they’ve used for the past decade.

Theoretically, the Falcons could’ve done the work, put together a robust offer, and been rejected, but not without forcing the Ravens to match. Some wrote this process off as a waste of time and “doing the work” for Baltimore.

Is engaging in talks to sign a one-of-one athlete a waste of time? The only team that seemed to benefit from this lack of engagement was Baltimore, which got to negotiate with Jackson unchallenged and signed him to a deal that is now outside the top five in total guaranteed money, total value, and average annual value—a steal.

These comments also ignore that franchises are always competing against one another. The Ravens were in prime position to add Derrick Henry in 2024 and strike deals with Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, and Ronnie Stanley. A few weeks ago, the team convinced Jaire Alexander to take a deal. Who knows what roster decisions or limitations the team would have faced if someone had forced them to pay a steeper price for Lamar Jackson?

This is the result of owners looking out for themselves, and unfortunately, Atlanta was a bad actor during this period. Short-sighted decisions have long-term ramifications.

The collusion ruling has given us some closure on a period many hope to soon forget. The Falcons are entering a new era with Michael Penix Jr., and the team’s focus is on what lies ahead.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...estigation-collusion-testimony-deshaun-watson
 
Can Drake London lead the NFL in receiving? Falcons WR review with Allen Strk

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Can Drake London lead the NFL in receiving? Kevin Knight and Allen Strk discuss the Falcons wide receiver room, including Drake London’s elite potential, Darnell Mooney’s excellent first season, and the battle for WR3 and beyond on the depth chart.

Can Drake London lead the NFL in receiving? Kevin Knight and Allen Strk discuss the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver room, including Drake London’s elite potential, Darnell Mooney’s excellent first season, and the battle for WR3 and beyond on the depth chart. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.

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Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...cons-wr-review-allen-strk-2025-darnell-mooney
 
The Legend Of Julio Jones: 300 Yards and Runnin’

NFL: OCT 02 Panthers at Falcons

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s only right that the greatest season in Atlanta Falcons history featured the greatest single-game performance in Jones’ career.

There were many times during Julio Jones’ career when you watched him early on in a game and said, “Oh, this is looking like a Julio game.” He was going to produce over 100 receiving yards. There would be multiple 25+ yard receptions, whether it’s off a go route exploding past a cornerback or breaking tackles across the field.

The camera will show the opposing defensive backs and coaching staff looking dejected at some point after another first-down reception. They will realize that all the preparation that went into containing the electrifying wide receiver wasn’t enough.

Jones made several opponents look hopeless in his biggest games. No team experienced that wretched feeling more than the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 of the 2016 season. Coming off a terrific yet slightly bizarre 45-32 win over the Saints, the Falcons had plenty to prove against another division rival.

What made the win in New Orleans odd was that Jones caught one pass for 16 yards on seven targets. For the Falcons to beat their biggest rivals on primetime in a shootout without much production from the 2016 first-team All-Pro wide receiver showed their offensive capabilities. It also meant Jones would play with even more urgency against the reigning NFC champions.

Considering what Jones did the last time he faced the Panthers in 2015, something historic would have to happen for him to top that extraordinary performance. The best players are always capable of making history. With Matt Ryan starting to get comfortable in Kyle Shanahan’s offense and major personnel upgrades made across the offense, Jones was bound to have a phenomenal game that nobody would ever forget.

Feed the Beast Early and Often​


On the first three plays of Atlanta’s opening drive, Jones caught three passes for 51 yards. Jones’ agility and relentlessness gave Carolina fits on comebacks and short routes. Even when he fell to the turf from a collision, Ryan was able to maneuver around the pocket to find him for a 14-yard gain. Those first three plays set the tone that Jones was going to be targeted all game long against a Carolina defense known for shutting down opposing running games.

As much as Bene Benwikere is remembered for being torched by Jones, Daryl Worley felt how overmatched a corner can be when going against the future Hall of Famer. Ryan hit Jones in stride on a 43-yard pass, where Worley didn’t make any contact while in press coverage.

That’s how devastating Jones’ release was at the line of scrimmage. He blew past the young cornerback with ease, as Worley was hoping for safety help. Ron Rivera likely had the same feeling after seeing how easily Jones got behind his defense. Adjustments were bound to be made, right?

On the next drive, Jones caught another deep ball from Ryan for a 53-yard gain on third and 17. It was another third-and-long where Carolina was out of sorts with their deep zone coverage. The last time that happened, Jones leaped over Luke Kuechly on an iconic touchdown catch. He caught this one between Benwikere and Kurt Coleman. Despite Thomas Davis shadowing Jones to give Benwikere support off the line of scrimmage, it didn’t stop Ryan from finding his primary receiver open downfield for another highlight-reel play.

Everything was clicking between them. Even when Kuechly should have picked off an errant pass, the ball ended up in Jones’ hands for an 18-yard gain. Outside of a five-yard catch to help give the offense space from starting at the one-yard line, every Jones reception went for 14+ yards in the first half. The constant first downs, broken tackles in the open field, and multiple 40+ yard catches left everyone in awe of his performance in the first half. There was more to come in the second half.

Making History in Style​


One of the biggest differences between the 2015 and 2016 Falcons was the improvement in the offense’s skill position group. Taylor Gabriel, Aldrick Robinson, and Austin Hooper made huge plays in the second half. It was one of Mohamed Sanu’s quieter games that season, but his impact was felt often. The array of playmakers relieved some pressure off Jones, knowing the offense was still productive without him needing 16 targets a game.

After a few catches off hitches and slant routes, the superstar wide receiver would make his mark on third and ten in the middle of the third quarter. Jones always had a knack for making explosive plays when the offense needed it most.

His smooth release shook Benwikere at the line of scrimmage before driving inside at the top of the route to create more separation for a 32-yard gain. It couldn’t have been more of a mismatch when Benwikere had to cover him.

The individual matchup concluded in the most definitive way possible. Carolina cut Atlanta’s lead down to 34-26 with less than four minutes to go. It was time for the offense to finish the game with authority, led by the man with 225 receiving yards at the time. Ryan would look for Jones on an in-breaking route off play action.

The completion couldn’t have been easier with Jones accelerating past Benwikere off another nasty release. After creating acres of space, he gave Benwikere a strong stiff arm for what should have been a 17-yard gain.

Jones wasn’t going to be stopped after 17 yards. Benwikere wouldn’t make contact with Jones again after failing to bring him down. No other Carolina defender ended up touching Jones on the way to a 75-yard touchdown. Sanu did a fantastic job of shielding Worley away from pushing the seven-time Pro Bowler out of bounds. He also took Michael Griffin out of the play in the process. It allowed Jones to turn a 45-yard gain into one of the greatest moments in his illustrious career.

Carolina’s decision to blitz was costly, leaving their overmatched cornerback on Jones. It was evident he couldn’t cover him all game long. Even though Benwikere had inside alignment, he got immediately shaken out of position from Jones’ blistering release.

With no help in the middle of the field due to blitzing, Carolina couldn’t prevent Jones from getting loose in the open field. Once he started picking up speed, anything was possible with his explosiveness and power. Carolina learned the hard way for a second consecutive game against one of the NFL’s most dominant players.

Road Runnin’ to Glory​


Combining his Week 16 performance in the 2015 season with this one in 2016, Jones had 21 receptions for 478 yards and two touchdowns off 26 targets against the Panthers. His efficiency makes what he did even more remarkable. Highlight-reel plays were produced. Opportunities weren’t wasted. History was created. Most importantly, a winning culture was being established.

That’s what mattered most to Jones as he and Ryan, who became the league MVP, led the Falcons back to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. They became the most prolific offense in the league. They were well-equipped to score 30+ points against any defense. That put them in a position to do something special in the final season inside the Georgia Dome. Jones was going to make sure of that.

The Legend of Julio Jones: Greatest Games List

Ending an Undefeated Season

Final Takeover

Giant Takeover

Another memorable Monday night

Historic night in Lambeau

College Rivalry Reignited

Playoff explosion

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...nin-falcons-panthers-matt-ryan-bene-benwikere
 
Can Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins coexist? Falcons QB and TE review: Tuesday Takes

NFL: New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Can Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins coexist in Atlanta? What happens to the Falcons depth chart at tight end if Kyle Pitts is traded? Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz tackle two of the most complicated position groups on Atlanta’s roster.

Can Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins coexist in Atlanta? What happens to the Falcons depth chart at tight end if Kyle Pitts is traded? Kevin Knight and Tre’Shon Diaz tackle two of the most complicated position groups on the Atlanta Falcons roster, discussing the depth chart and who is most likely to contribute in 2025. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below.

If you’re interested in supporting the show, check out our Patreon page to unlock access to exclusive perks including Patron Q&A sessions, Discord perks, live shout-outs and more!

Be sure to check out the new community Discord server here! Come chat with your fellow Falcons fans about the show, the team, the NFL draft, and more.

You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...b-te-review-nfl-2025-kyle-pitts-tuesday-takes
 
The Legend Of Julio Jones: Ending an Undefeated Season

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

The most productive season in Jones’ illustrious career was capped off by stopping the Panthers from going undefeated with one of his most iconic catches.

Facing the Carolina Panthers was always an eventful experience for Julio Jones. While he was on the receiving end of some one-sided blowouts due to Carolina’s success from 2013 to 2015, some of his best career moments came against the division rival. One of them occurred during Carolina’s peak in 2015. The other transpired the very next season.

After starting his career with a stat line of three receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers in a pivotal win in 2011, Jones didn’t have a notable game against them from 2012 to 2014. Some of it can be attributed to injury. The other primary reason stems from Carolina being the superior team, which limited Jones.

That was evident in the first meeting in 2015, when the Panthers shut out the Falcons in a 38-0 demolition. It became a party on the Carolina sideline at one point with players dabbing everywhere (remember those days?). Ra’Shede Hageman pushed Bryan Cox during the humiliating defeat to make matters worse. In a season that had already unraveled after a 5-0 start, Dan Quinn’s first season as head coach hit its biggest low against a division rival.

Jones was still on pace to be the most prolific receiver in the league, but the feeling of not making the playoffs for the third consecutive season was discouraging. All he could do was continue being the best at his position in the process of trying to beat the best teams. The Panthers were 14-0 entering the Georgia Dome with aspirations of going undefeated.

After annihilating the Falcons two weeks prior, they had all the confidence to continue their astonishing season. It was time for Jones to crush those dreams and help inject much-needed spirit into a fading team, especially Matt Ryan, who was having the worst season in his career.

Overcoming Obstacles​


As the 2015 season went on, the Falcons’ offense was heavily reliant on Jones and Devonta Freeman. Father Time had arrived for Roddy White. Leonard Hankerson had fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. As reliable as Jacob Tamme was as a secondary option, he couldn’t be counted on as a primary receiving option. It was bizarre for Kyle Shanahan’s offense to be so constricted in its operation, led by a franchise quarterback who initially struggled to acclimate to his system.

They managed to work with what they had with a methodical game plan in this matchup. A 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive response to Carolina’s opening touchdown drive set the tone for what was going to be an intense rematch. Jones had a few catches off comebacks and quick slants early on. Everything picked up in the second half, which included moments against Josh Norman, who was at his peak in 2015.

The matchup wasn’t as anticipated because Carolina played far more zone than man coverage. There were still moments when Norman squared up against him. Unsurprisingly, Jones won those battles.

Per Pro Football Focus, Jones caught five passes for 80 yards on six targets against the 2015 first-team All-Pro cornerback. He repeatedly beat him on comebacks and dig routes, including one where Norman failed to tackle him in the open field, leading to a 25-yard gain on a third and eight.

The superstar wide receiver produced another explosive play in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard reception, where Norman didn’t close him down fast enough on another dig route. For the Falcons to be competitive, Jones had to be efficient while being heavily featured. He did exactly that with nine receptions for 178 yards on 11 targets. For them to pull off the dramatic upset, a highlight-reel touchdown was necessary.

Rising Up To Maximum Heights​


Occasionally, a broken play can translate into a game-changing moment. It usually involves an athletic quarterback escaping the pocket to make a play out of structure. The idea of Ryan shifting to his left and throwing the ball 50 yards downfield wasn’t ideal, especially considering his turnover woes that year. Then again, it was third and 13 with the Falcons down 10-7 near the end of the third quarter. Why not take a chance throwing downfield to your superhuman playmaker? It might give the offense the spark it desperately needed.

That decision became a signature moment in not only Jones’ career but also an unfortunate one in Luke Kuechly’s legendary career. Jones was double-covered downfield with Kuechly and Kurt Coleman chasing him. Carolina decided to play some form of deep zone to prevent the Falcons from converting on third and 13. With Jones lined up in the slot, they had their stud inside linebacker and safety covering him downfield. That coverage should have Ryan looking elsewhere, yet he was left no choice but to take a chance.

Coleman stumbled to the ground, leaving Kuechly having to make a play on the ball 50 yards downfield against the NFL’s most terrifying wide receiver. Kuechly made a decent attempt at breaking up the pass. That made the 70-yard touchdown catch only more gratifying as Jones rose to high-point the ball over him.

What looked like a play that could only happen in a video game turned into reality, which can be said to describe several of Jones’ catches over his career. It was a picture-perfect leaping grab to maintain full body control while having the concentration and balance to stay upright afterward to get into the end zone.

That touchdown drove the Falcons to pull off the monumental, emotional upset victory. They wanted to get back at the Panthers for their excessive celebrations after being embarrassed in the first meeting. O’Brien Schofield was vocal about how the team felt disrespected by their actions. The best response to humiliation is to use it as a teachable moment and perform at the highest level.

That’s what they did to become the only team to beat the Panthers in the regular season. Jones finished his sensational year in style. It wouldn’t take long for him to make history against them again.

The Legend of Julio Jones: Greatest Games List

Final Takeover

Giant Takeover

Another memorable Monday night

Historic night in Lambeau

College Rivalry Reignited

Playoff explosion

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...son-falcons-panthers-luke-kuechly-josh-norman
 
How intentional will the Falcons be about playing their rookie pass rushers?

NFL: Scouting Combine

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Expectations are high that Jalon Walker and James Pearce will be featured a lot, but there could be obstacles blocking them from breakout seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons’ selection of a pass-rusher in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft should not have surprised anyone. However, their choice to double dip at the position did catch many off guard. The selection of Jalon Walker and trading up for James Pearce showed general manager Terry Fontenot’s commitment to upgrading an inept pass rush that has tallied a league-low sack total across his four seasons running the team.

Now that Fontenot and the front office have acquired the players, it’ll be on the team’s coaching staff to get the most out of them on the field. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has been open about how “intentional” he plans to be with the 2025 crop of defensive additions, including Walker and Pearce, in contrast to the 2024 draft class, where very few of their picks saw extended reps on the field.

But despite best-laid plans, will Morris and new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich be committed to getting the most out of Pearce and Walker this season by playing them as much as possible?

The Falcons finally have a fully stocked edge room, thanks not only to the newly arrived dynamic duo of Walker and Pearce, but also their cumulative additions over recent years. Past early-round draft selections of Arnold Ebiketie, Zach Harrison, and Bralen Trice are also being counted on to uplift the team’s pass rush. In addition, the Falcons’ most expensive free-agent addition was veteran pass-rusher Leonard Floyd.

While Pearce and Walker certainly carry the highest profile of that group due to their status as first-round picks, those other players are also here to get the quarterback on the ground. Given that rookie pass rushers don’t always impact immediately, the more experienced players could block Walker and Pearce from seeing the extended opportunities that this coaching staff intends them to have.

Can the Falcons get more from rookies than from veteran edges?​


Expectations are sky-high for both Walker and Pearce, but as outlined earlier this offseason, a typical first-round pass rusher can expect to produce 5.2 sacks, 36 pressures, and a win rate of 11 percent in their first NFL seasons on average.

Those are far from bad numbers, but they may not match the contributions the Falcons could get from their veterans. For instance, Ebiketie is an ascending player coming off a 2024 season that saw him collect six sacks, 39 pressures, and a 12.5 win rate. If he takes another step as a pass-rusher, his production should exceed that of Walker and Pearce’s first-year projections.

Floyd is also coming off a solid season with the San Francisco 49ers, where he recorded 8.5 sacks and 44 pressures. However, his win rate of 8.4 percent is troubling and may signal that he’s on the decline. After all, the Falcons acquired veteran Matthew Judon last summer via trade, coming off an injury-shortened 2023 season in New England, where his win rate was just 8.9 percent despite having four sacks in four games. After tallying 15.5 sacks in his last 17 healthy games with the Patriots, Judon saw his production fall off a cliff to 5.5 sacks with the Falcons in 2024. That declining win rate in New England was a signal of the usual decline that occurs for pass-rushers once they get beyond age 30.

However, as Judon would tell you, that had less to do with any decline in skill but a very questionable scheme and usage from former defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake.

The new defensive coaching staff believes their “attacking” scheme will be far more beneficial to a veteran pass-rusher like Floyd than his predecessor’s. But it does lead to questions over whether the team can get the most out of their holdover edges like Floyd while still getting the most out of their two newest additions.

Falcons expect revamped defensive scheme to help unlock pass rush​


Ulbrich certainly believes that the new scheme will have answers for that. After the draft, he discussed the early success of New York Jets defensive ends Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald during his previous stint there as defensive coordinator.

Traditionally, there are some growing pains for a young passer. Now, I’d say this: some of the stuff we’re going to bring schematically to the defense, I think, lessens that burden on some of these guys. I had a lot of success just recently with Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in New York. Both of these young passers came in, and Jermaine, in year two, made a Pro Bowl and is an ascending player. Will, this year, had, I think, 13-something sacks. Both are very young pass rushers. But I think part of the stuff we’ll do schematically will lessen that burden, and because of that, I think they’ll have maybe a little more success early on than they would have otherwise.

As Ulbrich outlined, both Johnson and McDonald had a lot of success in their second seasons, but were far from game-changers as rookies. Both had to sit behind veterans in their first NFL seasons.

In 2022, Johnson played just 27 percent of the team’s defensive snaps while working behind veteran edge-rushers Carl Lawson, John Franklin-Meyers, and Bryce Huff. Johnson finished the season with 2.5 sacks, 14 pressures, and a win rate of 11 percent.

In 2023, McDonald saw even less work, playing in 16 percent of snaps behind Johnson, Franklin-Myers, and Huff. Per PFF, McDonald racked up three sacks, 12 pressures, with an impressive 16 percent win rate as a rookie.

Limited first-year contributions from Johnson and McDonald didn’t slow down the Jets’ defensive success, which finished among the top 10 in team sacks both years. If the Falcons could trust in their veterans to produce at that level, they probably wouldn’t have finished 31st in sacks last season. So if the team’s pass rush is going to make a major leap, they’ll need to count on both Walker and Pearce taking a bigger slice of the pie. To make their investments worthwhile, they need more from Walker and Pearce in their first seasons than what the Jets received from Johnson and McDonald.

Will a lack of size limit Walker and Pearce’s workload?​


Not only do the Falcons have the potential of Ebiketie and Floyd blocking their ascension up the depth chart, but Walker and Pearce could also find themselves working behind Zach Harrison. Harrison, having bounced around as both an edge rusher and interior player during his first two NFL seasons, is expected to get extended reps at defensive end again in 2025. He could be a good bet to slide into a similar role forged by Franklin-Myers in New York, who spent the bulk of his time playing on the edge but, in passing situations, kicked inside to rush the quarterback.

Especially since Harrison’s size and strength make him a very valuable run defender at defensive end on early downs. That might help Ulbrich avoid some of the ups and downs that McDonald saw last year in New York. Despite a lot of production as a pass rusher, McDonald struggled against the run, having to take on more of an every-down role due to an injury to Johnson and the departure of Franklin-Myers. PFF ranked McDonald 127th out of 129 qualifying edges against the run last year. It contributed to the entire defense’s struggles to stop the run last year, which finished 20th against the run in DVOA after eighth and 14th-ranked finishes, respectively, the two previous years.

Given Walker and Pearce being listed under 250 pounds, there are rightful concerns over whether they have the size to hold up as every-down players as rookies, particularly on early downs.

Harrison’s size, alongside 2024 draft picks Brandon Dorlus and Bralen Trice, might be necessary to beef up a Falcons run defense that was even worse than the Jets, finishing 27th in DVOA. It is just another factor that could limit Walker and Pearce’s reps early in their career.

Rookies will have to earn their playing time on the field​


However, the Falcons drafted Walker and Pearce to put the quarterback on the ground, and they will have numerous opportunities to do so this year. How many opportunities will ultimately be determined in the field? The team’s edge room hierarchy should begin sorting itself out once players return in over a month for training camp. The Falcons have a plan involving both rookie pass-rushers, which will be tweaked and adjusted accordingly once the regular season arrives.

The old adage is that you can never have enough pass-rushers, a belief that hasn’t always permeated the mindset of the Falcons over the past two decades. The team hopes their newfound strategy of throwing waves of pass-rushers at opposing quarterbacks pays off. That’s especially important given Ulbrich’s expectation that the team’s offense will score a lot of points, play with leads, and force opposing teams to become more one-dimensional while playing from behind.

If Walker and Pearce have the sort of impact as pass rushers the Falcons expect, it’ll be nearly impossible to keep them off the field.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...rookie-pass-rushers-jalon-walker-james-pearce
 
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