Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons' football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are not in desperate need of defensive tackles at this point in the 2025 offseason. They have veterans Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. They also have rookies Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, among others.
Still, depth is always important for the front line, and that of course can be acquired through the draft or free agency. The latter is up first on the calendar, beginning on March 12 with the official start of the new league year. The Falcons' wallet isn't exactly in spending shape just yet — their cap space is in the red by more than $5 million, according to Over the Cap — but with some maneuvering, it could get there. Or at least in better standing.
Below are five defensive tackles – four external, one internal – the Falcons might consider if they can make the finances work.
Javon Kinlaw
Age: 27
2024 team: New York Jets
2024 stats: 17 starts, 17 appearances | 40 tackles, 27 solo | 5 QB hits, 4.5 sacks | 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
The interest: Kinlaw was a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He just completed his first full starting season in 2024, which went really well compared to his previous years of work. To be fair, Kinlaw was injured in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, playing in only 10 games combined. The first-round draft pick is now starting to reach his potential, and it happened with the help of Atlanta's new defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. Perhaps the two could build on that relationship in Atlanta. (Contract info via Over the Cap)
B.J. Hill
Age: 29 years old
2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals
2024 stats: 15 starts, 15 appearances | 56 tackles, 25 solo | 9 QB hits, 3 sacks | 4 pass breakups
The interest: Hill has been resilient in multiple roles for the Bengals, beginning his career as a starter in 2018 before spending the following three seasons in a rotation and then becoming a starter again in 2022. He has also shown he can do a little bit of everything with a forced fumble, two interceptions, four fumble recoveries, 16 pass breakups, 23.5 sacks, 66 quarterback hits and 341 tackles all on his seven-year resume. Hill appears to be a really reliable option who hasn't slowed down with age. (Contract info via Over the Cap)
Bobby Brown III
Age: 24 years old
2024 team: Los Angeles Rams
2024 stats: 16 starts, 17 appearances | 44 tackles, 16 solo | 1 QB hit | 1 pass breakup
The interest: Coming off his rookie contract, Brown is a young possibility for the Falcons if they are looking for an already experienced player who could be a long-term solution. Brown's age would put him on a similar development timeline to players like Zach Harrison, Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus. He doesn't have any mad flashy stats, either, so he could fall within the Falcons' budget better than the previous names. Brown was a fourth-round pick in 2021; he became a starter in 2023 and maintained the role in 2024, so it's fair to say he could do the same in 2025. Brown offers potential. (Contract info via Over the Cap)
Jarran Reed
Age: 32 years old
2024 team: Seattle Seahawks
2024 stats: 8 starts, 17 appearances | 45 tackles, 21 solo | 15 QB hits, 4.5 sacks | 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
The interest: Though he started the fewest games since his rookie season last year, Reed was still just as productive as he had been as a starter. Case in point, Reed's 15 quarterback hits were his most since 2018 when he started all 16 games and recorded 24 quarterback hits. He took about 100 fewer snaps between the two years. His 4.5 sacks in 2024 were the fourth-most he's had in a single season, falling behind the 10.5 he had in 2018, 6.5 in 2020 and 7 in 2023. Reed's age and experience would fit him in well alongside Jarrett and Onyemata, although he might be a luxury the Falcons can't afford. (Contract info via Over the Cap)
In-house pick: Eddie Goldman
Age: 31 years old
2024 team: Atlanta Falcons
2024 stats: 10 starts, 17 appearances | 16 tackles, 7 solo | 3 QB hits, 1 sack
The interest: The Falcons seem to have a soft spot for Goldman, beginning in 2022 when they first signed him. He announced his retirement shortly afterwards, though. The Falcons reinstated Goldman from the reserve/retired list in 2023, but they later placed him on the exempt/left squad list. Still, the team gave him another shot in 2024. Goldman stuck around and showed he can still make an impact in the middle of Atlanta's defensive line, so maybe he will again in 2025 with the team that really believed in him. (Contract info via Over the Cap)
