Following the departure of a franchise all-time great and several under-the-radar signings, Atlanta is in a period of rationalization after a chaotic last year.
After two eventful offseasons, the Atlanta Falcons were bound to have a more subdued year off the field. With limited cap room and key decisions needing to be made, they had to take a step back in free agency. It has left us entering the roundtable with questions about some signings and how the front office manages two notable situations in the trenches.
Tre’Shon Diaz and Kevin Knight join me for the latest discussion. Despite the lack of excitement surrounding the offseason, some moves will shape how the team fares in the fall. As the defense remains the primary focal point, a new uncertainty has emerged within the offensive line.
This is the second offseason roundtable discussion. The previous edition was published last month.
Is Leonard Floyd a suitable fit as a complementary edge rusher for the defensive line?
Tre’Shon Diaz: Floyd has always been a reliable complementary edge rusher. The former Georgia Bulldog has had great success in the second or third edge rushing role throughout his career. He can’t be counted on to carry this team’s pass rush, but he should be able to finish pressures generated by others at a higher rate than Matthew Judon or Lorenzo Carter. The 2024 defense failed to capitalize on its pressures, leading to quarterbacks extending plays and drives. Floyd has always been able to capitalize on his teammates’ efforts.
If Atlanta wants to maximize this addition, it’ll add another high-caliber pass rusher to the room. Floyd isn’t much help on run-downs, and the defense still needs a long-term edge defender to build around. I’m hoping Floyd can have a Calais Campbell-esque performance and give the pass rush some reliable support.
Kevin Knight: Floyd would ideally be a good third edge rusher and pass rush specialist at this stage in his career. In Atlanta, he might have to be a starter. You could do worse, but given his age, it would be best for him to be on a snap count.
Floyd is still a productive rusher and very good finisher, but he’s not capable of carrying a pass rush. His addition is a good start, but Atlanta needs a lot more.
Allen Strk: Floyd will make his share of splash plays that will ignite the defense. That is a valuable trait, as defenses have become more complex in their pressure designs over the past few seasons. Some edge rushers can create but struggle to finish. Others struggle to generate pressure consistently but have a savvy knack for finishing. Floyd’s familiarity with Morris from being in Los Angeles can only boost his chances of being productive.
As long as expectations are tempered and Floyd can win his share of one-on-one matchups, he can thrive as an ideal second-edge rusher. He could be even more effective as a situational third edge rusher if Arnold Ebiketie continues to expand his game with a high-round draft pick used on an edge rusher to build around.
Are you surprised David Onyemata is still on the roster?
Tre’Shon Diaz: Initially, I was surprised, but I have rationalized a few options. Onyemata’s contract was always structured so the team gets $10M in savings post-June 1st, and because his deal was restructured mid-season, the team could not give him the early designation once free agency began. Since the Falcons seem content with making low-budget signings, freeing up the money gained via a cut hasn’t been needed. Jarrett’s departure opened some cap space, and the Matthews extension opened up enough money for the Falcons to do what they wanted in free agency thus far.
However, if the plan is to keep Oneymata for the 2025 season, I find retaining his services odd. The team has plenty of defensive tackles, and 2024 was a disappointing season for the veteran. Onyemata will be 33 this year, and the Falcons need to get younger and add players who can operate in the A gap.
Kevin Knight: Yes. Onyemata’s release was one of the most straightforward cap saving moves the Falcons could make. At this point, they may be keeping him until after the draft to make sure they’ve got a suitable replacement.
The team can technically create a bit more space by making him a post-June 1st cut. Still, given Onyemata’s dip in play in 2024 and high cap cost, it’s doubtful he will make it to Week 1.
Allen Strk: It’s surprising because the defense desperately needs to get younger after having seven defensive linemen 28 years or older play significant or contributing roles last season. Most of those players have departed, which makes keeping him somewhat understandable. His level of play noticeably dropped off after being one of the anchors of Ryan Nielsen’s resurgent defense in 2023.
Could better talent and scheming lead to a rebound season? It can’t be ruled out as the Falcons should look to play with fewer, lighter boxes and not use as many bear fronts. Onyemata still has some juice, but the defense needs difference-makers in a group with too many flaws. It’s hard to envision Onyemata being the force he was in 2023, which raises skepticism about keeping him.
Does Divine Deablo have the potential to be a valuable contributor for a linebacker group that needs athleticism and range?
Tre’Shon Diaz: Deablo is the type of linebacker that I expect Jeff Ulbrich to value. His $7M guarantee tells me the Falcons certainly believe he has the potential to be an impact player. After digging into Deablo’s film, I saw a hybrid safety, which is what he played in college. In the passing game, you can see his range; he has no issue getting to his drops, carrying tight ends and wide receivers vertically, and has a nose for the football when it’s in the air.
However, he struggles in the run game and looks lost on too many occasions. Deablo will likely have a dedicated role on passing downs, and if the Falcons are a nickel-heavy defense again, that will only play into the free agent’s skill set.
Kevin Knight: Deablo is the biggest wild card signing the Falcons made. He’s got a lot of potential to fill a similar role to Jamien Sherwood, but he’s a lot rougher around the edges. Deablo was also half the price, so that was obviously a big factor.
He can give Atlanta’s linebacker room a boost in coverage ability and athleticism that simply wasn’t there with Troy Andersen sidelined for most of 2024. Also, Deablo immediately takes the crown of “best name of the team”.
Allen Strk: One of the lone highlights of the Falcons’ catastrophic 2020 season was Ulbrich taking over defensive playcalling duties following Dan Quinn’s dismissal. He was relentlessly ramping up a variety of blitzes. It brought the best out of Foye Oluokun. Deion Jones even showed flashes in a more aggressive role. Despite coaching an undermanned unit, Ulbrich called some impressive concepts to make offenses uncomfortable. Deablo could thrive blitzing alongside Kaden Elliss’ destructive pass-rushing style. He could also hold his own in coverage with how much ground he can cover.
As Tre’Shon alluded to, his issues against the run are glaring. Making him more gap-disciplined will be a challenge for Ulbrich. There should be some belief he can make some strides, but it’s hard to envision him supplanting a healthy Andersen on pivotal downs.
What should the front office do to replace Drew Dalman?
Tre’Shon Diaz: Draft his successor. The Falcons shouldn’t take shortcuts along the offensive line, especially now that they believe Penix is their future. Ryan Neuzil’s role as a high-end backup is his best fit. If Atlanta can upgrade from him, they should do so. This draft contains multiple options on Day 2 and Day 3 that could be the answer for the foreseeable future.
Prospects like Jonah Monheim, Drew Kendall, and Jared Wilson would be great options to ensure Penix has the best protection. Taking a swing on offensive linemen is never a bad strategy, but being complacent with what’s in the building can backfire. Atlanta should be proactive and go after a center before the position becomes a glaring issue.
Kevin Knight: The Falcons should plan to draft a center, given their inaction at the position in free agency. Neuzil provides a reasonable floor, but you’d rather have him as a stopgap starter competing against a rookie.
Wilson will be a popular match for Atlanta, but several early-Day 3 centers could also fill the need. I’ll be very interested to see how the Falcons prioritize the position—it’ll tell us a lot about their level of confidence in Neuzil as a full-time starter.
Allen Strk: It’s usually wise for a veteran center to be paired with a young quarterback. That isn’t a viable option after Garrett Bradbury signed with the Patriots to align with Drake Maye. It’s not a significant loss considering Bradbury is below-average in pass protection and struggles to anchor against interior tackles. That leaves the Falcons with no choice but to draft a center. It’s something the front office should feel confident in doing, considering how solidified the unit is around him.
Penix is more polished as a processor and decision-maker than your traditional second-year quarterback is. Championship teams know how to identify talent in the trenches. If Morris wants to mimic the Detroit Lions, drafting future starters in the trenches in the later rounds would be one way to do it.