FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's about time the Atlanta Falcons' defense has some fun.
NFL rules forbid contact during the offseason program. That eliminated defensive players' ability to do their jobs: physically stop the offense. In training camp, though, the gloves can come off – to some degree. Defensive players can make their presence felt for the first time in 2024.
There's a mix of new and old on the defense. There was a lot of change on the coaching staff, but not so much on the player side. How the past and present mesh will dictate both parties' success come fall.
So, in the meantime, get ready for camp with a full preview of the defense – newcomers and returners alike – broken down by unit. Below the defensive breakdown is an evaluation of Atlanta's special teams.
COACHING STAFF
Notable new faces: Jimmy Lake (DC), Justin Hood (DB), Jay Rodgers (DL), Barrett Ruud (ILB), Jacquies Smith (OLB)
Returning: Jerry Gray (AHC/D)
Preview: Only one defensive coach does not need a new Falcons clipboard: assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray. Everyone else is new to the staff, here to help head coach Raheem Morris implement his vision on that side of the ball. The defense is inevitably bound to look different in 2024, and training camp provides the first sneak peak of what's in store.
Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake is calling the shots this year and has already said the Falcons will run a base 3-4 scheme. There is, of course, still the wiggle room to show different fronts and coverages. And given the frequency with which defenses operate out of nickel personnel, base defenses are only a part of the overall package. The constant, though, should be fast, free and physical play. Again, training camp will provide the first glimpse of this.
Lake's comfort as a play-caller is something else worth keeping an eye on. He has done it before, but at the collegiate level. This will be his first time calling plays into a professional headset.
That's the head of the new hierarchy. Then, there's the assistant coaches who will support Lake. Jay Rodgers, who has nearly 15 years of defensive coaching experience in the NFL, will coach the defensive line and previously held the same role with the Bears from 2015-20 and the Broncos from 2012-14, helping those units achieve standout success. Barrett Ruud and Jacquies Smith, who played five seasons in the NFL, will work with the inside and outside linebackers, respectively. Justin Hood rounds out the pack and will oversee the secondary after spending the last three years with Green Bay.
The goal for Atlanta's defense will be to continue its upward trajectory. The Falcons improved from No. 23 in points allowed per game during the 2022 season to No. 18 last year. Likewise, they improved from No. 27 in yards allowed per game to No. 11 last year. Notably, the Falcons finished with 42 sacks, their highest total since 2004. Those numbers can still be better, though. The pressure is to not let them be worse.
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DEFENSIVE LINE
Notable new faces: Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zion Logue, Prince Emili, James Smith-Williams
Returning: Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Kentavius Street, Ta'Quon Graham, Zach Harrison, LaCale London, Eddie Goldman, Demone Harris, Tommy Togaia
Projected starter(s): Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Zach Harrison
Preview: There should be no reason to worry about this group — for a while. Grady Jarrett should be far along enough in his recovery from a torn ACL to participate in training camp, at least in some capacity. Next to him, David Onyemata returns. Those two have 17 years combined experience, and they were excellent on the field together last season. Through the first seven weeks, Atlanta allowed the eight-fewest yards per carry (3.7) and led the NFL in rush defense EPA, according to TruMedia. Jarrett and Onyemata will anchor the Falcons' present-day line and are the best mentors for the Falcons' future anchors. Atlanta stocked up on linemen during the draft with tackles Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus and Zion Logue. Safe to say, the Falcons are safe on depth there and Morris has a history of getting production from young defensive linemen.
Then, there's the third lineman, an end. That'll likely be Zach Harrison, with James Smith-Williams as another option. Harrison didn't start any games as a rookie last season but should advance to a starting role after learning behind Calais Campbell in his first year. Seeing how Harrison steps up into an elevated role will be a good training camp storyline.
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OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS/EDGE RUSHERS
Notable new faces: Bralen Trice, Bradlee Anae
Returning: Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, DeAngelo Malone
Projected starter(s): Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie
Preview: Training camp will be the first test of the Falcons brass' trust in their 2023 roster retention at this position. Atlanta waited until the third round to add Bralen Trice in the draft, and Bradlee Anae, who hasn't taken an NFL snap since 2021, was the lone free agency signing. So, the Falcons are relying on those they already know, mainly Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone, while hoping Trice's high pressure rate in college will translate to the next level.
Carter is a veteran in the league, starting his career in 2018, and has been with the Falcons since 2022. He started 17 games his first season in Atlanta but only one last year after a shift in the defensive scheme. Whether he regains a consistent starting role will be a point of focus in training camp. Then there's Ebiketie and Malone, who the Falcons selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ebiketie registered 2.5 sacks as a rookie before upping that total to 6 in his second season; the hope is that he continues that trajectory. Malone has been a role player for the entirety of his two seasons with one sack to his name.
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INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Notable new faces: JD Bertrand
Returning: Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman, Milo Eifler, Donavan Mutin
Projected starter(s): Kaden Elliss, Troy Andersen, Nate Landman
Preview: The Falcons shouldn't have any complaints about their inside backers. The depth is strong here. Kaden Elliss started every game last season, his first in Atlanta, and led the team with 11 tackles for a loss while finishing second in tackles with 122. Elliss was undoubtedly comfortable in the previous scheme, but his versatility should be a big factor for Lake and Morris. Troy Andersen was in line for his first full season as a starter in 2024 – after starting five games in 2023 – but an injury derailed those plans in Week 3. He is now healthy and expects to pick up where he left off. Nate Landman stepped in to start 14 games in place of Andersen and became one of the breakout players of the season, finishing third on the team with 110 tackles. He now presents Andersen with true competition for that second starting spot.
In fact, the talent is so strong among these three that the Falcons' decision-makers plan to get creative and find a way to have all three on the field at a time. That's uncommon — but not impossible — and thus something to look out for during training camp.
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CORNERBACKS
Notable new faces: Antonio Hamilton Sr., Kevin King, Anthony Johnson, Jayden Price, Trey Vaval
Returning: A.J. Terrell, Dee Alford, Clark Phillips III, Mike Hughes, Natrone Brooks,
Projected starter(s): A.J. Terrell, Clark Phillips III/Mike Hughes, Dee Alford (nickel)
Preview: The biggest defensive question mark of the offseason was the second starting cornerback. A.J. Terrell is a given, considering the former first-round pick has become a defensive mainstay while building a reputation as one of the best young corners in the league. His cross-field partner, though, has been a rotation of characters for the past four seasons.
When asked why they didn't draft a cornerback, like many experts mocked, the Falcons' front office expressed confidence in those already in the building. Sure, Atlanta signed two veteran free agents – Kevin King and Antonio Hamilton Sr. – but those moves were likely for depth. The true competition for the second starting spot is between Mike Hughes and Clark Phillips III. The offseason program made that very clear, as the two split first-team reps opposite Terrell. Hughes started four games last year. Phillips, five. Both enter their second season in Atlanta, though Hughes is an established veteran while Phillips was a fourth-round pick in 2023. This will definitely be the biggest must-watch of training camp.
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SAFETIES
Notable new faces: Dane Cruikshank,
Returning: Jessie Bates III, DeMarcco Hellams, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, Lukas Denis, Tre Tarpley III
Projected starter(s): Jessie Bates III, DeMarcco Hellams/Richie Grant
Preview: There's really not much to say here. All the boys are back in town at safety. Of course, their leader is Jessie Bates III. He set the bar very high for himself last season, his first in Atlanta, with a team-high six interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 132 total tackles. He was responsible for the Falcons' only defensive touchdown – a 92-yard pick-six. Given the roots Morris and Lake have in coaching the secondary, their deployment of Bates may be one of the signature qualities of the defense.
Richie Grant started alongside Bates for the majority of 2023, but DeMarcco Hellams is challenging for Grant's spot after a strong rookie season. Hellams' playing opportunities increased as last season went on – he started in his final three appearances – and he rotated with Grant for first-team reps during the offseason program. This will be another position battle to watch closely during training camp.
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SPECIAL TEAMS
Notable new faces: Ray-Ray McCloud (KR), Rondale Moore (KR), Ryan Sanborn (P)
Returning: Marquice Williams (STC), Younghoe Koo, Bradley Pinion, Liam McCullough, Avery Williams
Projected starter(s): Younghoe Koo (K), Bradley Pinion (P), Liam McCullough (LS), Avery Williams (KR)
Preview: The special-teams boat was the least rocked in the organization. Even the man in charge of the crew is a familiar face. Marquice Williams, the only coordinator back from 2023, enters his fourth season with the Falcons.
The main trio are back, too. Kicker Younghoe Koo embarks on Year 6 in Atlanta, while punter Bradley Pinion and long-snapper Liam McCullough are on Year 3 with the Falcons. That stability will be key for the kicking game. Koo made 86.5% of his field goal attempts in each of the last two seasons but has missed seven kicks from more than 50 yards away in that time after missing just one from that range over his first three seasons.
Returner Avery Williams technically never left, so it's fair to say he's also back. The difference is Williams missed all of 2023 due to a knee injury sustained in the offseason, so his return will feel like a fresh addition to some degree. For him, training camping will be all about proving he's at full health. Either way, he has competition.
Those who are new – receivers Ray-Ray McCloud and Rondale Moore – will compete with Williams for return reps. McCloud and Moore were brought in for their speed and should be important additions to not only the wide receivers room but also special teams units. Across 77 career games, McCloud has returned 108 kickoffs for 2,463 yards and 135 punts for 1,304 yards. Moore's resume is a bit smaller, but the former second-round pick has returned 13 kickoffs for 291 yards and 22 punts for 182 yards.
Perhaps the most interesting part about this unit, however, isn't its personnel. It's the rule changes they'll have to now operate under. The NFL completely revamped the kickoff format this offseason, and it's unclear how that will impact the sport this fall. Best believe that will be a key focus in August before things get real in September.
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