FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The trade deadline looms large on the NFL calendar as Nov. 5 quickly approaches. The Falcons have an obvious pass rush issue. They are last in the NFL in quarterback pressure rate (25.9%), total sacks (six) and team sack rate (2%). Atlanta only pressured Baker Mayfield this past Sunday on 11 of his 51 dropbacks (21.6%).
What's more, the Falcons are the only defense in the league whose leader in total pressures is an off-ball linebacker (Kaden Elliss with 14). While this does speak to Elliss' versatility lining up and affecting the passer from anywhere on the defensive line (whether lining up in the interior gaps or coming off the edge), it also points to the lack of production of the defensive front as a whole. Both things can be true simultaneously.
Through eight games this season, the Falcons' pass rush hasn't amounted to much, and head coach Raheem Morris understands that.
"It's not good enough," Morris said Monday. "We have to get better at pass rush. And it's something that we have an emphasis on. It's something that we put the finger on and really dove into.
"I don't really fear talking about it when it's not good enough because we got to get it better. What you want to do is you want to find a way to make it better, so it doesn't hinder you from winning enough football games that you want to win. And that's the most important thing to me. How can we get it better so when we really need it, it shows up for us."
So far, the Falcons are 5-3 overall and 4-0 in the division without much by way of pass rush. But, as Morris foretells, there is going to come a time when the Falcons need to be able to rely on its pass rush. It's why so many of you submitted the exact same question for this week's Mailbox:
Can the Falcons go get a pass rusher before the trade deadline?
Well, T.J. T., Jimmy B., Ashley R. and so many others, here's where the Falcons stand.
Tori: The first two questions you have to ask is who do you want and who do you realistically think you can get? Because those two answers can be very different.
The problem facing the Falcons right now is they are running out of draft capital to use in a trade agreement. They have already traded for a pass rusher, Matthew Judon, sending a 2025 third-round pick to the Patriots. They are also without a fifth-round pick in 2025 because of tampering violations when signing Kirk Cousins, Charlie Woerner and Darnell Mooney back in March. At this time, they have five picks to play with for next year's draft. Realistically, I can't see the Falcons giving up either their first- or second-round pick, which leaves their fourth-, fifth- and seventh-round picks as options they could hypothetically offer up. But would they want to, considering the two picks they no longer have in the 2025 draft? There's always 2026, too, but this isn't a front office that has historically dealt picks that far down the road.
If you don't (or can't) go down the draft-pick road, the players on your roster are other potential assets. In order to get an edge rusher who can make an immediate impact, though, the pot would likely have to be sweetened with a player of high enough value. Who would that be for the Falcons? Is there anyone, particularly defensively, that the Falcons could offer up that would get a bite? Would the absence of that player make the team worse elsewhere?
And then, there's cap space. Which actually isn't a huge issue for the Falcons right now. According to OverTheCap, the Falcons effectively have about $8.1 million in space. It's not a lot, but as long as there's space, the cap can always be manipulated if circumstances call for it.
So, can the Falcons go get a pass rusher before the trade deadline? Yes. They can.
Will they want to, though, knowing what they would have to part ways with in order to get a player who may or may not change the issue at hand? That is the better question.
JC D. from Savannah, Georgia
Arnold Ebiketie is one heck of an athlete but seems to be a forgotten man. Any way to play him at inside linebacker or make better use of him?
Tori: I had high hopes for Ebiketie in 2024. The Falcons drafted him with the expectation that he would develop into one of the unit's premiere pass rushers. That hasn't happened yet. In fact, I actually have a bit of sympathy for Ebiketie's path to this point. He's had a different defensive coordinator in each of his three seasons in Atlanta, each with their different philosophies and base schemes. As a young player in this league, I do not believe this is a situation in which anyone can be set up for success.
However, there is no part of me that believes the solution to this is playing him at inside linebacker. Ebiketie's skill set and home is coming off the edge. The worst thing you could do is uproot him. After three years of being flexible within the position and learning how each new coordinator wants to utilize him off the edge, the thought of completely throwing all of that out the window to move him to a position he has no experience playing is not a concept I think is in the realm of possibility.
But I do agree with you that something has to be altered.
According to Next Gen Stats, Ebiketie has generated just 10 pressures on 131 pass rushes this season. That's a career-low 6.6% pressure rate. Last season, that percentage was up to 17.1%. But the thing is, Ebiketie isn't the only one with diminishing success rates from last year to this year.
Grady Jarrett, who has been the Falcons stalwart in pass rush and overall defensive play for a decade, hasn't been able to find his footing in 2024, either.
Jarrett has recorded his lowest pressure rate (5.6%) and his slowest average get-off time (1.08 seconds) in a season since 2018 this year. And he's not really being double-teamed at the rate he once was, only being double-teamed on 34.1% of his pass rushes this season, which is his lowest rate in a season since 2018. Jarrett is coming off a season-ending knee injury, so that slower get-off time makes sense. However, the fact that even Jarrett — who's skillset has translated to different schemes, different coordinators and different years — isn't producing at the level everyone has come to expect from him? That is what worries me the most.
Immerse yourself in the subtle drama of the Falcons-Buccaneers meetup at Raymond James Stadium with our monochrome snapshots from Week 8, shot on Sony.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
View of the flyover during the Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Demone Harris #91 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 team huddle prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 rushes the quarterback during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson #71 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs after a catch during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs for a touchdown after a catch during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 intercepts a pass during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 makes a tackle during the second half of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 makes a tackle during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 intercepts a pass during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 runs for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 looks to pass during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 celebrates after an interception during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 hands off to running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 celebrates after a fumble recovery during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after a catch during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 lines up during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 rushes during the third quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 prepares to lead the team onto the field prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
General view of fans during the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 arrives prior to the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Team huddle in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Players take the field prior to during the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 runs after a catch during the first quarter of the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 game ball in the locker room after the Week 8 Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 arrives to travel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 arrives to travel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32, Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20, and Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 arrive to travel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 boards the plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, October 26, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)
