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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/SirBannedAlott on 2025-07-27 15:08:51+00:00.
Atlanta Falcons
Division: NFC South, 2024 record: 8-9, second place finish in division
Coaching Changes
Coming into the 2024 season, the Falcons had a completely revamped coaching staff starting with Raheem Morris as the head coach. Morris chose two first-time coordinators to lead the offense and defense - OC Zac Robinson and DC Jimmy Lake. While Robinson showed great playcalling promise despite being hampered by the Kirk Cousins situation, Jimmy Lake was an utter disaster as the defensive coordinator. His schemes, or lack thereof, had every single player on the Atlanta defense out of position multiple times each game. You don’t see players such as Jesse Bates, Matthew Judon, Justin Simmons, and AJ Terrell just forget how to play football during the same season. After the Falcons bye week, Raheem Morris relieved Lake of his play calling duties and took over the defense himself. The day after Atlanta’s embarrassing defensive performance in the final week of the regular season in their loss against Carolina, both Jimmy Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rogers were officially fired.
The Falcons brought in former Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich to take over as the defensive coordinator. Ulbrich had previously been the Falcons linebackers coach from 2015-2019, and became the interim DC after then Falcons HC Dan Quinn was relieved of his duties. Ulbrich brings with him a proven track record of defensive schemes that led to the Jets having a top defense with him at the helm from 2022-24.
Alongside Ulbrich, the Falcons hired Nate Ollie as their new defensive line coach. Ollie brings with him a history of creating top league pass rushes. In 2024, he was the DL coach for the Houston Texans, who set a franchise record for sacks in a season. Prior to the Texans, he spent two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, and in 2023, he helped the Colts set their single-season sack record as well. This hiring of Nate Ollie especially should excite Falcons fans, who haven’t seen their team have a top 15 finish in sacks since they led the league with 48 back in 2004. Ollie combined with the completely revamped room of pass rushers could wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines in the upcoming seasons.
Ulbrich brought with him his linebackers coach, Mike Rutenberg to coach the same position group in Atlanta. Rutenberg brings with him a proven record of coaching up linebackers such as CJ Mosley into becoming star contributors in a defense, and should complement the Morris/Ulbrich scheme perfectly.
Free Agency
Notable players lost / cut
| Name | Position | New Team |
|---|---|---|
| Grady Jarrett | DT | Chicago Bears |
| Nate Landman | LB | Los Angeles Rams |
| Matthew Judon | OLB | Free Agent |
| Drew Dalman | C | Chicago Bears |
| Justin Simmons | S | Free Agent |
Grady Jarrett- The Falcons cut Grady Jarrett shortly after the season concluded in a move that sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Jarrett was one of only two players remaining from the Falcons’ 2016 Super Bowl roster along with LT Jake Matthews. Through cutting Jarrett, the Falcons saved $16.25m against the cap in 2025.
Nate Landman- Landman had a very solid season for Atlanta in 2023, however, early in the 2024 season, he suffered a quad injury that kept him out of the first few games. After returning from injury, it seemed like any speed and maneuverability Landman had was completely gone, leading to the Falcons decision to not re-sign him.
Matthew Judon - Desperate for any semblance of a pass rush, the Falcons traded a 2025 3rd round pick to the New England Patriots for OLB Matthew Judon. Judon was one of the top pass rushers in the league leading up to a season-ending bicep injury in 2023. Judon looked terrible for the Falcons, never being able to generate any consistent pressure on opposing QBs despite finishing second on the team with 5.5 sacks.
Drew Dalman - Dalman had a very strong couple seasons as the team’s starting center after being drafted in the 4th round of the 2021 draft. However, Dalman missed half of 2024 due to injury, leading backup center Ryan Neuzil to start games. The team went 5-3 in that stretch without a noticeable hole at the position, so they felt comfortable letting Dalman walk in free agency while signing Neuzil to a much cheaper deal.
Justin SImmons - Atlanta signed Simmons to a one-year deal, hoping that pairing him alongside Jessie Bates would reap massive rewards. However, due to either poor defensive scheme or Simmons’ age, it was a huge disappointment. Simmons was at best a league-average safety, and at worst a detriment to the secondary.
Notable players signed
| Name | Position | Former Team |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Deablo | LB | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Leonard Floyd | DE | San Francisco 49ers |
| Morgan Fox | DT | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Jordan Fuller | S | Carolina Panthers |
The Falcons did not have the cap space to make a big splash in free agency, but focused on upgrading their defense with cheaper, high-upside under the radar signings. Divine Deablo, a speedy linebacker, was signed to a three-year contract. Leonard Floyd, a University of Georgia grad, was signed to a one-year deal to come in and provide a good pass rush and to help the two new draft picks adjust to the NFL. Morgan Fox will come in to try to fill the massive shoes left by the cutting of Grady Jarrett, bringing a solid veteran presence to the defensive line group. Jordan Fuller was developed by Falcons HC Raheem Morris while both were with the Rams, and Fuller fit into the Morris scheme like a glove. He will compete with 3rd round pick Xavier Watts to play alongside Jessie Bates.
Draft
Round 1, Pick 15: LB Jalon Walker
PRO COMP: Haasan Reddick
With their first pick in the draft, the Falcons FINALLY listened to their fans and drafted a player out of the University of Georgia. As a coach’s son, Walker brings with him a rare combination of football IQ, leadership, and athleticism. He should be the leader of the defense within a couple seasons.
Round 1, Pick 26: DE James Pearce Jr.
PRO COMP: Brian Burns
The Falcons’ annual controversial draft move this year was them trading back into the first round for EDGE James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee. Coming into the 2024 college season, JPJ was a consensus top five projected pick before falling due to reported “character concerns”. The Falcons, however, fell in love with Pearce in the draft process and were willing to take him at 15, but were not expecting Walker to fall to them. Atlanta traded next season’s first round pick to the Rams, swapped a second for a third, and gave up a seventh round pick. Pearce led the nation in QB pressures in his two seasons at Tennessee and brings blistering speed and power to the Edge.
Round 3, Pick 96: S Xavier Watts
PRO COMP: Jessie Bates
The Falcons once again traded up five spots in the third round to select safety Xavier Watts, who was projected as a mid-second round talent. Watts led the nation in interceptions over the past two seasons with 13 for the Fighting Irish. Atlanta now has another ballhawk to pair next to Jessie Bates.
Round 4, Pick 118: S Billy Bowman Jr.
PRO COMP: Tyrann Matthieu
Atlanta quadrupled down on their defense-heavy draft with Billy Bowman Jr. out of Oklahoma. Bowman, like Watts, is a ballhawk-type player and was second in the nation in interceptions over the past two seasons. The Falcons plan to convert Bowman into a nickel corner, using his quickness to cover speedy slot receivers for the foreseeable future.
Round 7, Pick 218: OT Jack Nelson
Atlanta’s final draft pick was used on Wisconsin tackle Jack Nelson. Standing at a monstrous 6’7’, Nelson was a four-year starter for the Badgers and could develop into a replacement for current RT Kaleb McGary if he doesn’t improve in pass protection.
Projected Starting Lineup with Bac
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backups / Depth |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Michael Penix Jr. | Kirk Cousins, Easton Stick |
| RB | Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier, Carlos Washington Jr. |
| WR1 | Drake London | KhaDarel Hodge |
| WR2 | Darnell Mooney | DJ Chark Jr. |
| WR3 | Ray-Ray McCloud | Nick Nash |
| TE | Kyle Pitts | Charlie Woerner, Feleipe Franks |
| LT | Jake Matthews | Storm Norton |
| LG | Matthew Bergeron | Kyle Hinton |
| C | Ryan Neuzil | Joshua Gray |
| RG | Chris Lindstrom | N/A |
| RT | Kaleb McGary | Jack Nelson |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backups / Depth |
|---|---|---|
| DT1 | David Onyemata | Brandon Dorlus |
| DT2 | Ruke Orhorhoro | Ta’Quon Graham |
| DE | Leonard Floyd | Morgan Fox, Zach Harrison, LaCale London |
| LB1 | Kaden Elliss | JD Bertrand |
| LB2 | Divine Deablo | Troy Andersen |
| OLB | Jalon Walker | James Pearce Jr., Arnold Ebiketie, Bralen Trice |
| CB1 | AJ Terrell | Clark Phillips III |
| CB2 | Mike Hughes | Cobee Bryant |
| CB3 | Billy Bowman Jr. | Dee Alford |
| S1 | Jessie Bates | DeMarcco Hellams |
| S2 | Xavier Watts | Jordan Fuller |
Special Teams
| Position | Player Name |
|---|---|
| PR/KR | Jamal Agnew |
| K | Younghoe Koo |
| P | Bradley Pinion |
| LS | Liam McCullough |
Schedule Prediction
| Week | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | vs Buccaneers | W |
| 2 | @ Vikings | L |
| 3 | @ Panthers | W |
| 4 | vs Commanders | W |
| 5 | BYE | N/A |
| 6 | vs Bills | L |
| 7 | @ 49ers | L |
| 8 | vs Do… |
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