3 key questions for Atlanta’s defensive line
1. Are the young guys ready for the main gig
The merits of a growth year for rookie quarterbacks have been debated time and again. But how would a pseudo-redshirt approach benefit players at other positions? The Falcons in 2025 will be a good team to watch for those wondering.
Atlanta’s Day 2 picks in the 2024 draft, Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, are poised to take over much bigger roles this season after relatively limited action in Year 1. Orhorhoro dealt with an ankle injury in the middle of the season and ultimately played just eight games, but he showed flashes when out there on the field. Dorlus appeared in only two games and was a healthy scratch for a good portion of the year.
A lot of that was by design. A term Raheem Morris tossed out in OTAs when discussing the second-year guys was “body armor,” meaning the added strength and durability they gained as rookies. Now, Atlanta will need to lean on Orhorhoro and Dorlus with Grady Jarrett and Eddie Goldman no longer on the roster.
2. Zach Harrison one of the defense’s biggest x-factors?
Given the number of young players Atlanta has added to its defense the last few years, it’s easy to overlook a player like Harrison. However, he could emerge as one of the key swing players for the Falcons this year. Another step forward by the former 5-star prospect who has held two different roles in his first two years would go a long way towards solidifying the versatile group in the trenches.
When speaking with the media earlier this offseason, defensive line coach Nate Ollie explained that he envisions Harrison playing a big end role for Atlanta. The Falcons have added speed and length to their linebacker and edge rooms, but the power will likely come from the players with their hand in the dirt.
If Harrison is able to set consistent edges in the run game, allowing others to play off of him, and can become part of an early-down pass rush, the Falcons’ defense could come together quickly.
3. Who will anchor the middle?
The signing of Eddie Goldman last year raised more than a few eyebrows because of his on-again, off-again history with the Falcons, but he was an important piece in the middle. Goldman played nearly 30% of the defensive snaps for Atlanta, and his 6-foot-4, 332-pound frame was beneficial in helping clog up the middle.
Even if the Falcons plan on deploying multiple looks on their defensive line, they don’t necessarily need a true nose tackle. In the few glimpses provided at minicamp, Onyemata was the man in the middle of the line, and the veteran should be able to hold up. But he’s 30 pounds lighter than Goldman, which could lead the Falcons to add external help at that spot in camp if they feel so inclined.
Perhaps Onyemata is the player Atlanta’s staff envisions in the middle of their 3-4 looks, which would also help advance Ollie’s aims of an “attack-style front,” but as camp battles begin to emerge, the nose tackle role could be one up for grabs.
