3 Falcons storylines on defense to pay attention to during 2025 training camp

All three levels of the defense will be worth a close watch this summer, for reasons that range from encouraging to worrisome.

Atlanta Falcons training camp is right around the corner, and the team has multiple storylines worth paying attention to throughout the process.

Here are three I will be keeping tabs on, and they’re ones you should watch closely, too.

Linebacker room: misfit toys or versatile assets?

Linebackers are one of the most misunderstood positions in football. Many factors that influence the results of a play are entirely out of their hands, most notably the defensive line keeping them clean. The linebackers were filthy [derogatory] in 2024.

Kaden Elliss came on strong in the second half of the season after Raheem Morris momentarily took the reins of the defense, a move that proved fruitful for both parties. Per PFF, in Weeks 1-8, Elliss had 15 total pressures and zero sacks, a whopping 1.9 pressures per game. Week 9 and beyond? 28 total pressures (3.1 per game) and five sacks. It’s been evident to most for quite some time, but the veteran is at his best when he’s moving forward and attacking the quarterback. Elliss’s deployment and usage are something to keep a close eye on.

Troy Andersen flashed the complete game many had been waiting for, and like the Avatar, he vanished when the team needed him most. Andersen has, unfortunately, earned his unreliable label due to his health struggles, and the team has sought the services of a new linebacker to address the issue. Even when accounting for his NFC Defensive Player of the Week performance against the New Orleans Saints, the young Montanian still hasn’t solidified himself as a “good” player. Andersen is fighting for his NFL career this season, not just his roster spot.

Enter Devine Deablo, the next great Ulbrich linebacker? Deablo is a safety-to-linebacker convert–Ulbrich has it written into his contract that the team must have at least one for his defense. Deablo’s movement ability stands out on film; his amateur grasp of the position does as well. $7M guaranteed is a lot for an unproven player, but Ulbrich and Rutenburg have an extensive resume of linebacker development. Their focus on simplification is what has led to their success; will it lead them there again with this newest project?

Defensive line investments unleashed(?)

Zach Harrison finished 2024 with fewer snaps than he did as a rookie, a fireable offense. Ruke Orhorhoro was considered one of the biggest overdrafts of 2024, based on the consensus board, and cost the Falcons two draft picks. Out of 29 eligible rookie defensive tackles, Orhorhoro had the 18th fewest snaps; his draft companion, Brandon Dorlus, checked in at 27.

One year later, the Falcons double-dipped on edge defenders, a bold move criticized by many—because their historical approach had gone so well. The Falcons added veteran pass rush specialists Leonard Floyd (OLB) and Morgan Fox (DT) to the fold. Bralen Trice will also make his debut this season, having suffered a brutal injury in camp during his rookie campaign.

All of this to say: the Falcons have invested more in the pass rush than ever before, but how much can the team squeeze out of a group lacking experience? Rookie pass rushers are, by and large, unproductive. Yes, there are outliers such as Jared Verse and Micah Parsons, but we already discussed that rookies shouldn’t be expected to lead the group.

The team’s approach? Many hands make light work. The expectation is that this will be a by-committee pass rush, a plan that has been advertised to fans for a decade. How does the staff plan to hit the ground running, and what’s the plan if inexperience becomes insurmountable?

Has outside corner depth been glossed over?

AJ Terrell’s most underrated quality is his durability. He’s the only corner on the team to log 1000+ snaps in back-to-back seasons. Mike Hughes, while upgradeable, proved to be good enough in 2024; however, he has missed time in almost every season of his professional career due to injury. Atlanta’s top option behind him is former 4th-rounder Clark Phillips III.

The outside corner depth is thin, and the team bypassed the opportunity to address it in the offseason. UDFA darling Cobee Bryant is the most notable addition. Any way you slice it, the team is going to be praying for injury luck and sustained success. Leaving things to chance isn’t the most inspiring approach, but the Falcons only had so many draft picks and dollars at their disposal; someone had to get the short end of the stick.

Due to these notable roster gaps, I have a hard time believing in Phillips’ nickel/slot propaganda unless Dee Alford or another corner is trading places with him on the outside. A starter-level backup on the boundary is a requirement in the modern NFL, and the team has given itself almost no room for error with its current roster-building strategy. Will this group be able to make it through summer unscathed, and who will be called upon if they are unable to do so?

For the first time in years, the Falcons have legitimate talent at all three levels of the defense. After some staff shuffling, the team believes they now have the right individuals in place to unlock it. Training camp is the launch point for the question above, but we won’t have tangible answers until the official action kicks off.

What storylines will you be obsessing over during training camp?