The Atlanta Falcons defense lost its way late in the season as the team squandered a chance for a playoff berth in the NFC. General manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris were determined to get this unit back on track, and the team’s offseason moves reflected that.

The Falcons brought in Jeff Ulbrich to replace Jimmy Lake as the defensive coordinator, and selected two edge rushers in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. With training camp approaching, many will be watching the team’s new-look defense, especially rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.

Atlanta also upgraded in the secondary and said goodbye to franchise legend Grady Jarrett. Check out our pre-training camp preview of each position group on the Falcons defense below. And don’t forget to read our offensive preview.

Falcons Defensive Line Breakdown

The Falcons have said they want to play their young players more in 2025, which leads me to think they will start Ruke Orhorhoro and Zach Harrison next to defensive tackle David Onyemata. Orhorhoro played sparingly as a rookie but the team traded up to the 35th overall pick to draft him in 2024. Morgan Fox has a chance to play a key role as well, but I expect the team to use a heavy rotation at all three spots.

NT depth chart:

1. David Onyemata
2. Kentavius Street
3. LaCale London

LDE depth chart:

1. Ruke Orhorhoro
2. Morgan Fox
3. Simeon Barrow Jr.

RDE depth chart:

1. Zach Harrison
2. Ta’Quon Graham
3. Brandon Dorlus

2025 salary cap hits for Falcons DL:

1. Onyemata: $16,925,000
2. Fox: $2,500,000
3. Orhorhoro: $2,253,665
4. Harrison: $1,518,667
5. Graham: $1,337,500
6. Street: $1,197,500
7. Dorlus: $1,165,599
8. London: $960,000
9. Barrow Jr.: $850,000

As you can see above, Onyemata’s 2025 salary cap hit is over six times higher than the next defensive lineman on the team. The Falcons don’t have much money committed to the position outside of Onyemata. Fox, who signed with the team as a free agent, has the second-highest cap hit at just $2.5 million this season. Only one other defensive lineman, Ruke Orhorhoro, will top the $2 million mark this season. Overall, this group is set to earn around $29 million in 2025.

Top free agent DL available:

• Jadeveon Clowney
• Raekwon Davis
• DeMarcus Walker
• Austin Johnson

The Falcons have a few decent options to choose from if they want more help up front. Jadeveon Clowney is by far the best free agent available at the position, and he would make some sense if the Falcons aren’t confident in their current group. Raekwon Davis and DeMarcus Walker are other options, while Austin Johnson could be a name to watch at the defensive tackle spot.

Predictions/expectations for DL in 2025:

With Jarrett in Chicago, the Falcons will look to a few different players to replace him in 2025. Morgan Fox and Ruke Orhorhoro are both in the mix to start up front. It will likely come down to who performs best in training camp, which begins on July 24. Zach Harrison is in line for an expanded role, and second-year defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro could also start for Atlanta. While this group has some promising talent, it’s arguably the team’s weakest position overall. Onyemata is a proven veteran but the rest of the group is relatively untested.

Falcons Outside Linebacker Breakdown

This is where the team’s depth chart starts to get tricky. While I think both rookies will be starting by the end of the season, Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie have the experience advantage. The team could initially use Walker in a hybrid role, alternating him between edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. Expect this group to rotate quite a bit while defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich finds a lineup that works best.

ROLB depth chart:

1. Jalon Walker
2. Arnold Ebiketie
3. Bralen Trice
4. Khalid Kareem

LOLB depth chart:

1. James Pearce Jr.
2. Leonard Floyd
3. DeAngelo Malone

2025 salary cap hits for Falcons OLBs:

1. Leonard Floyd: $10,000,000
2. Jalon Walker: $3,738,612
3. James Pearce Jr.: $3,050,688
4. Arnold Ebiketie: $2,805,948
5. DeAngelo Malone: $1,663,957
6. Bralen Trice: $1,347,667
7. Khalid Kareem: $1,030,000

At $10 million, Floyd is by far the highest paid of Atlanta’s edge rushers in terms of his 2025 salary cap number. The Falcons have roughly $24 million in total cap space committed to the position this season. Rookies Walker and Pearce hold the second- and third-highest cap numbers at $3,738,612 and $3,050,688, respectively. Ebiketie isn’t far behind with cap hit of $2.8 million.

Top free agent OLBs available:

• Za’Darius Smith
• Matthew Judon
• Von Miller
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin

As we just examined, the Falcons actually have a pretty deep group of outside linebackers. However, NFL teams always have to be aware of who’s available, and there are a few notable names. Smith is the top name on the list, but he’ll likely be signed before the season begins,. After that, it’s a mixture of veterans, including Matthew Judon and Von Miller.

Predictions/expectations for OLBs in 2025:

While there’s a lot to be excited about with this edge group, history suggests that fans should temper their expectations. Both Walker and Pearce have immense upside, but it may take some time before they hit their stride. Floyd is a solid veteran who I expect to play a big role, along with Ebiketie. Also, don’t sleep on Bralen Trice. The former third-round pick looked good before suffering a season-ending injury during the 2024 preseason.

Falcons Inside Linebacker Breakdown

Elliss is the heartbeat of this group. The veteran linebacker had a career year in 2024, and will look to lead the unit as the team transitions to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2025. The Falcons signed free agent Divine Deablo, who should battle Troy Andersen for the other starting gig. Andersen, a former second-round pick, has been solid when healthy, but he’s had trouble staying on the field. Deablo is another experienced veteran who’s impressed the coaching staff thus far at OTAs.

Right ILB depth chart:

1. Kaden Elliss
2. JD Bertrand
3. Caleb Johnson
4. Malik Verdon

Elliss is the heartbeat of this group. The veteran linebacker had a career year in 2024, and will look to lead the unit as the team transitions to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2025. Bertrand was a fifth-round pick last year and saw the field more than much of the team’s 2024 draft class. Johnson is an experienced veteran who can add depth. Verdon is a former safety who projects as an inside linebacker.

Left ILB depth chart:

1. Divine Deablo
2. Troy Andersen
3. Josh Woods
4. Nick Kubitz

The other inside linebacker job is up for grabs. The team signed free agent Divine Deablo, who should battle Troy Andersen for the starting gig. Andersen, a former second-round pick, has been solid when healthy, but he’s had trouble staying on the field. Deablo is another experienced veteran who’s impressed the coaching staff thus far at OTAs.

2025 salary cap hits for Falcons ILBs:

1. Kaden Elliss: $8,500,000
2. Divine Deablo: $4,940,000
3. Troy Andersen: $1,942,046
4. JD Bertrand: $1,047,506
5. Caleb Johnson: $1,030,000
6. Josh Woods: $1,030,000
7. Nick Kubitz: $845,000
8. Malik Verdon: $843,333

As you can see, the team has around $20 million in cap space going to the inside linebacker position this season. Elliss has the highest cap hit ($8.5 million), while Deablo’s cap hit is second on the team at just under $5 million. Former second-round pick Troy Andersen is due $1.94 million. Second-year linebacker JD Bertrand is fourth on the team with a cap hit of $1,047,506 this season.

Top free agent ILBs available:

• CJ Mosley (retired)
• De’Vondre Campbell
• Eric Kendricks
• Kwon Alexander

The Falcons won’t have many options if they’re forced to look to free agency. The top two options — CJ Mosley and De’Vondre Campbell — may be done with football. Campbell’s 2024 season with the 49ers ended in controversy while Mosley just announced his retirement from the NFL. Eric Kendricks and Kwon Alexander are decent options if the team is looking to add more depth.

Predictions/expectations for Falcons ILBs in 2025:

This group will be interesting to watch in 2025, mainly due to Ulbrich taking over as defensive coordinator. We expect Elliss to have another big year starting in the middle. As for Deablo and Andersen, their roles will depend on the scheme Ulbrich runs. Overall, this is a talented group with good depth. The Falcons did not re-sign Nate Landman, who split time as a starter and backup over the last few seasons.

Falcons Cornerback Breakdown

RCB depth chart:

1. A.J. Terrell
2. Clark Phillips III
3. Keith Taylor
4. Dontae Manning (UDFA)

LCB depth chart:

1. Mike Hughes
2. Mike Ford Jr.
3. Natrone Brooks
4. Lamar Jackson

NCB depth chart:

1. Dee Alford
2. Billy Bowman (Rookie)
3. Cobee Bryant (UDFA)

There are no major surprises here. While Mike Hughes and Dee Alford may not be among the top players at their respective positions, both have starting experience and offer stability. Hughes in particular is coming off arguably the best season of his career. Atlanta could have traded for Jalen Ramsey or signed Jaire Alexander, but the team had limited cap space. We listed Bowman as the backup nickel to Alford, but don’t be surprised if the rookie sees the field in 2025.

2025 salary cap hits for Falcons CBs:

1. Terrell: $9,000,000
2. Hughes: $3,586,666
3. Ford: $1,845,000
4. Alford: $1,490,000
5. Phillips: $1,223,383
6. Taylor: $1,100,000
7. Bowman: $1,086,538
8. Jackson: $1,030,000
9. Brooks: $960,000
10. Bryant: $853,333
11. Manning: $843,333

The Falcons gave Terrell a mega-extension last year, but he will only count for $9 million against the salary cap in 2025. That’s not bad for a No. 1 cornerback. Hughes is second on the team with a cap hit of $3.5 million. Alford will earn $1.5 million and Phillips isn’t far behind at $1.2 million. Overall, and the team will pay roughly $24 million to cornerbacks this season.

Top free agent CBs available:

• James Bradberry
• Kendall Fuller
• Stephon Gilmore
• Rasul Douglas

The Falcons are unlikely to make any major secondary additions now that the top names are off the market. If the team wants to add someone with starting experience, there are some decent options available. Bradberry is probably the top corner on the market, while Fuller and Gilmore have plenty of experience. There are plenty of solid depth players on the market as well.

Predictions/expectations for Falcons CBs in 2025:

The Falcons didn’t make any major improvements at cornerback, but they also didn’t lose any notable players. Hughes and Alford are back, and you could argue the team has better depth behind those two than it had in 2024. I expect Clark Phillips III to serve as a versatile backup playing both inside and outside. As mentioned earlier, I also believe Bowman will find his way onto the field this season. Terrell sets the tone for this group as a whole. If the team’s pass rush makes progress, it will only help the Falcons secondary in 2025.

Falcons Safety Breakdown

While Jessie Bates returns for his third season leading Atlanta’s secondary, there’s been some debate among fans as to who will start at the other safety spot. The team did not re-sign Justin Simmons in free agency. Since Fuller has starting experience and is familiar with head coach Raheem Morris from their time in Los Angeles, we have the veteran penciled in as the starter for Week 1. However, Watts is also firmly in the mix. If the rookie shines during training camp, there’s a chance he could leapfrog Fuller on the depth chart.

FS depth chart:

1. Jessie Bates III
2. Xavier Watts
3. Kevin King

SS depth chart:

1. Jordan Fuller
2. DeMarcco Hellams
3. Josh Thompson

While Jessie Bates returns for his third season leading Atlanta’s secondary, there’s been some debate among fans as to who will start at the other safety spot. The team did not re-sign Justin Simmons in free agency. Since Fuller has starting experience and is familiar with head coach Raheem Morris from their time in Los Angeles, we have the veteran penciled in as the starter for Week 1. However, Watts is also firmly in the mix. If the rookie shines during training camp, there’s a chance he could leapfrog Fuller on the depth chart.

2025 salary cap hits for Falcons safeties:

1. Bates: $22,250,000
2. King: $1,197,500
3. Fuller: $1,155,000
4. Watts: $1,125,192
5. Hellams: $1,056,575
6. Thompson: $960,000

Overall, the Falcons are spending roughly $28 million at the safety position, with $22.2 million of that going to Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III. Atlanta gave Bates a four-year, $64 million contract during the 2023 offseason. Thus far, he’s been worth every penny. Every other safety on the roster has a salary cap hit of less than $1.2 million this season.

Top free agent safeties available:

• Justin Simmons
• Marcus Williams
• Quandre Diggs
• Julian Blackmon

As you can see above, there are some still capable safeties available in free agency. Simmons is probably the top name on the market, and would be an interesting option if the Falcons are looking for an injury replacement. However, we still expect the veteran to land somewhere before the season begins. Marcus Williams and former Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs are other potential options for Atlanta in free agency.

Predictions/expectations for 2025:

Despite letting Simmons walk in free agency, the Falcons arguably got better at the safety position over the offseason. Watts has long-term starter potential and won’t be forced into the lineup until he’s ready. DeMarcco Hellams, who missed all of the 2024 season, is a good depth piece who still has plenty of upside. Bates is one of the truly elite safeties in the NFL. If cornerback-turned-safety Kevin King makes the roster, he can provide depth at both spots. Overall, the entire back end of Atlanta’s defense should benefit from an improved pass rush this season.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons 2025 roster breakdown: Defensive position groups