FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Veteran edge Leonard Floyd will be 33 years old by the time the 2025 season is in full swing, the 10th of his NFL journey. At this point in his career, Floyd knows what he offers and how he operates.
So, too, will the Atlanta Falcons.
"I'm more of an action-based leader," Floyd said Tuesday during his introductory press conference. "I do it by practicing hard, going hard every day. I don't ever really get into the vocal side of it. I always try to lead through my actions."
Floyd is now the oldest and most experienced defensive player on the Falcons' roster with 137 starts under his belt. That edges out defensive lineman David Onyemata by two months and 39 starts. Although he's admittedly on the quieter side, Floyd's experience should be beneficial to his defensive teammates, especially those in the trenches.
The Falcons' pass rush has struggled in recent years, ranking last in the league with 141 sacks since the 2020 season. It hasn't finished ranked in the top half of the NFL in sacks since 2017. That's also the last time Atlanta made the playoffs.
Floyd, meanwhile, has spent the majority of his career on defenses whose sack count did rank in the top half, most of whom made the postseason. The Buffalo Bills were No. 4 in 2023 (playoffs), the Los Angeles Rams were No. 3 in 2021 (playoffs and Super Bowl win) and No. 2 in 2020 (playoffs), and the Chicago Bears were No. 3 in 2018 (playoffs), No. 8 in 2017 and No. 12 in 2016.
Suffice to say, Floyd has seen firsthand how various schemes can create a path to the quarterback and how different personnel groupings work together to execute that plan of attack.
"To me, pass rush is just like having a basketball team," Floyd said. "You want to have a rotation. You want to have players that can come in and do their things, and then other players that come in and do their things."
Six Falcons players recorded at least two sacks in 2024. Of those, four return in 2025. They are Onyemata (three sacks), inside linebacker Kaden Elliss (five sacks), outside linebackers Arnold Ebiketie (six sacks) and DeAngelo Malone (two sacks).
Outside linebacker Bralen Trice will presumably be back after missing his rookie season due to a torn ACL sustained in the Falcons' first preseason game.
Defensive lineman Morgan Fox, who had 3.5 sacks for the Los Angeles Chargers last year, also joined the Falcons this offseason.
Atlanta has added youth to its defensive line in recent years through the draft, and players like Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Ebiketie and Trice figure to have large roles this season. However, Floyd, Onyemata and Fox, who are the only defensive linemen above the age of 30, will be key parts of the rotation as well.
"When I look at it, it's a defense with a lot of young cats," Floyd said. "I'm looking to just come in and just helping them and them helping me also. Do whatever it takes to win."
That includes continuing to explore the free agency market. Or, looking at the 2025 NFL Draft.
Floyd would be happy if the Falcons use their No. 15 overall pick on another proven pass rusher. Mocks have given Atlanta names like Marshall edge Mike Green, Georgia edge Jalon Walker, Penn State defensive lineman Abdul Carter and Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart. There are even others to consider for any of Atlanta's four later picks.
"The more," Floyd said, "the merrier."
