FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As expected, Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata anchored the Atlanta Falcons' defensive line in 2024 at the tackle position.
Unexpectedly, the veterans left more to be desired based on their career track records.
There was major hype surrounding Jarrett entering the season, as he returned from an ACL injury for his 10th year in Atlanta. While he did become the Falcons' franchise leader in quarterback hits – now at 126 in his career – he had just 2.5 sacks, which is his second-lowest total in a full starting season. His personal best, for comparison, is 7.5 sacks in 2019.
Overall, Jarrett made 53 tackles with nine stops for a loss. He hit the quarterback 12 times, with the 2.5 takedowns.
Onyemata entered his second year in Atlanta last season. He had three sacks, which also tied for his second-lowest total in a full starting season. His personal best therefore remains 6.5 sacks in 2020, when he was still with the New Orleans Saints.
In total, Onyemata made 45 tackles, eight of which were for a loss. He hit the quarterback five times, with the three sacks.
To be fair, and not put too much on Jarrett and Onyemata, the Falcons' defense, as a whole, left more to be desired, especially early on up front. Through the first 11 games, Atlanta had 10 sacks. Through the final six games, it had 21 sacks. Granted, the Falcons had none in their season finale, an overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers that saw the defense basically drop the ball.
Two of Onyemata's sacks came during the Falcons' late defensive turnaround. None of Jarrett's did.
Atlanta finished as the 23rd-ranked defense in both points (423) and yards (5,868) allowed. Its run defense — No. 15 with 2,051 yards allowed — was stronger than its pass defense — No. 22 with 3,817. However, the defense was tied at No. 8 in yards allowed per pass attempt. The Falcons' ranked 31st with 31 sacks on the season.
"There's a lot to work on," Jarrett said after the season. "But we did get better in some spaces, especially as the season went on, so that's good that we were trending in the right direction. … I'm excited for what the future holds. We learned a lot about our team this year. We learned a lot about our defense and the strengths and weaknesses. We want to continue to do what we got to do to improve."
OFFENSIVE POSITION REVIEWS:
Notable returners: Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus
Free agents: Kentavius Street, Eddie Goldman, Ta'Quon Graham
2024 production:
- Grady Jarrett: 17 starts, 17 appearances | 53 tackles, 30 solo | 2.5 sacks, 9 TFLs, 12 quarterback hits
- David Onyemata: 16 starts, 17 appearances | 45 tackles, 23 solo | 3 sacks, 8 TFLs, 5 quarterback hits
- Eddie Goldman: 10 starts, 17 appearances | 16 tackles, 7 solo | 1 sack, 1 TFL, 3 quarterback hits
Biggest question facing the position group in 2025: Will the 2024 rookies get starting opportunities in 2025?
Last season saw splashes of second-round draft pick Ruke Orhorhoro and fourth-round draft pick Brandon Dorlus, as the two combined for 10 total game appearances but no starts.
Orhorhoro was the first to earn an opportunity, making his debut in the Falcons' Week 5 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He took 12 defensive snaps and made three tackles. He then played in the next three consecutive games before missing Weeks 9-14 due an ankle injury sustained in the Buccaneers rematch (another Falcons win) that placed him on injured reserve. Orhorhoro returned to action in the Falcons' Week 15 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, taking 15 defensive snaps and making just one tackle. He played again in the next three consecutive games to close out the season.
In total, though eight games, Orhorhoro took 148 defensive snaps and made 11 tackles, with one stop for a loss.
"He got a little bit more comfortable," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said in Week 8. "He was able to do some run things (and) did some really impressive things, shedding blocks. So, now, his role has increased. It's improved. He started off with that role, then it's kind of moved to just playing and rotation. He's really moving forward, getting some right directions, doing some really good things, doing some things that are correctable, which our coach is able to correct while you're going about your process. Really excited where he is."
Dorlus, meanwhile, made his debut in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also played in the Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Between his two games, Dorlus took 19 defensive snaps and made three tackles.
"We got a chance to see a little bit of Dorlus," Morris said. "We got a chance to see all these (drafted) guys, unless they had some significant injuries and things of that nature. But it's really a nice thing when you see guys develop and grow within a season and are able to be contributors to a team that's competing at a very high level."
