An Overview of the Atlanta Falcons Defense
The Falcons had become synonymous with poor defense over the last decade-plus. The 2025 unit broke the trend. They moved all the way up to mediocre in scoring, rushing yards, and passing yards, while making the top ten with 23 turnovers. The biggest turnaround came in the form of a pass rush, where the Falcons' 57 sacks were second only to Denver's 68.
At the heart of the newfound success was last year's hiring of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. The organization then made a huge capital investment, using both of its first-round picks on edge defenders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Those two combined for 16 sacks, but it was a team effort. In all, 17 players recorded at least one. For that, much of the credit goes to the architect, Ulbrich, who got the most out of what he had to work with.
As is usually the case when a horrible defense gets a facelift and a new scheme, there was ample turnover on last year's roster. That continues this offseason as the team looks to add more talent and depth that fits the scheme. Atlanta used four draft picks on defense, including a second on corner Avieon Terrell and a fourth on linebacker Kendal Daniels. Free agency brought a slew of new faces, most of whom will land backup positions, but at least one projected starter, linebacker Christian Harris.
The Falcons' defense showed signs of life in 2023 as well, then flatlined again in 2024. This group has the feel of one that will keep getting better.
Atlanta Falcons Defensive Line
The team used its highest pick on edge Jalon Walker last spring. It was their second first-round selection who made the biggest splash. With 10.5 sacks, James Pearce Jr. became the first Falcon to reach double-digits since Dante Fowler Jr in 2020. If that is not enough to get excited about, how about the fact that ten of them came in the last nine games, or that Pearce had at least a half-sack in eight of those nine games?
Walker was hardly a bust in his own right. At 24-12-5 with 3 turnovers, he was right on par with the rookie production of many NFL greats. Not to mention that he led Atlanta's defensive line in tackles. This very young and talented tandem (both are 22) has the Falcons fan base excited for the future, and many fantasy managers along with them. There are, however, a couple of red flags for IDP managers.
One of those flags is size. History tells us that statistically productive edge defenders don't have to be big, particularly the ones who work from a two-point stance in 3-4 schemes, but the guys checking in at 250+ usually make more plays against the run, giving us better tackle numbers. Walker comes in at 245 and Pearce at 243. That is a small concern. The big issue is the same story we face over and over as IDP managers: snap counts.
Pearce led the team's edge position with 593 plays last year, and Walker came in at 492 after missing two games. Leonard Floyd logged 461, Arnold Ebiketie had 384, and Zach Harrison 240. Floyd and Ebiketie are gone, but they have been replaced by Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari, who are every bit as good as the guys they are replacing. Not to mention that Harrison's 240 came in 7 games before he was injured. I like what I saw from Pearce and Walker. They both have the potential to be major fantasy contributors. Unfortunately, they will have to be on the field enough to realize that potential, and we may well see a five-man rotation at the Falcons' edge position.
We expect first-round picks to make a lot of plays. The biggest surprise amid last year's success may have been tackle Brandon Dorlus. The 2024 fourth-round pick found his way onto the field as the third man in the tackle rotation. Other than a sack and a half against the Vikings in week two, he remained relatively quiet until week nine. Starting with a 2-sack performance against the Patriots, Dorlus rolled off seven sacks in eight games to finish the season. He led all defensive tackles in sacks from week 9 through week 17.
With 15 tackles and 12 assists on the year, Dorlus was way too light on stops to be a major fantasy factor, but that could change. As the third wheel, he played 465 snaps. Both players who were ahead of him, David Onyemata and Ruke Orhororo, are gone, so Dorlus is in line for the starting job and a lot more playing time. For what it's worth, Onyemata saw 634 plays. The increased snaps will help greatly. If he can turn enough of them into tackles, there could be good value in him.
LaCale London is a player to keep an eye on as well. He was actually more productive than Dorlus, going 17-13-5 on 270 plays. The only thing that makes Dorlus more interesting is that London projects as the third guy in the rotation behind free agent addition Chris Williams, formerly of the Bears. That said, it is not written in stone. This is something we will want to monitor.
Da'Shawn Hand was brought in to play nose tackle. He is a solid anchor in run defense but comes off the field on passing downs and is not a fantasy factor. Hand will be backed up by Mason Smith or rookie Anterio Thompson.
- Edge Jalon Walker – Breakout potential if he plays enough snaps
- Edge James Pearce Jr. – Target as depth and hope he plays enough to be more
- Edge Samson Ebukam – Injury sleeper
- Edge Azeez Ojulari – Injury sleeper
- Edge Zach Harrison – Injury sleeper
- Edge Cameron Thomas – No impact expected
- DT Brandon Dorlus – Possible DT2
- DT Chris Williams – Marginal impact
- DT LaCale London – Watchlist worthy
- NT Da'Shawn Hand – No impact
- NT Anterio Thompson – No impact