Andersen’s coverage ability could provide a two-way boost to the Falcons defense.
The Atlanta Falcons hope their defense makes strides under new head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, despite not making the same level of investments on that side of the ball this offseason as the team did in 2023. Yet the Falcons defense should be able to take strides without those investments, due to the healthy returns of key starters like defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and linebacker Troy Andersen.
Andersen, especially, could fundamentally impact an improved Falcons defense in 2024. Andersen’s greatest asset is his athleticism, which gives him huge potential in coverage. He missed fourteen games last year due to a torn pectoral muscle and his absence changed how the Falcons played defensively. It forced the team to start backup and former undrafted free agent Nate Landman for most of the season.
Landman and Andersen are essentially opposites, specializing in a different facet of defense. Landman is an outstanding run defender, but lacking in coverage. That limitation forced fellow starting linebacker Kaden Elliss to take on a greater coverage burden in 2023 with Andersen out of the lineup.
The Falcons defense has greater potential with Andersen back in the lineup due to that coverage potential. That’s because his return to the field can free up Elliss to rush the passer, which is his specialty. Elliss spent his collegiate days as a defensive end and has successfully transitioned to off-ball linebacker, capably calling the defense at middle linebacker under former defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. But Elliss is most at home when he’s rushing the passer and getting more opportunities to do that can improve the Falcons defense this year.
According to PFF, Elliss rushed the quarterback on just nine percent of his snaps last year, down from the 16 percent he had the previous year in New Orleans. Yet, despite fewer opportunities, Elliss made the most of them. He pressured the quarterback on 26 percent of his pass-rush snaps in 2023, up from 19 percent the previous year.
The Falcons can potentially offset their lack of investments at edge-rusher by giving Elliss more chances to get after the quarterback. But that likely requires a healthy and productive year from Andersen to allow the Falcons to feature Elliss as a pass-rusher more.
Not only can the Falcons expect an improved pass rush thanks to Andersen being back on the field, but they should also experience a much-needed boost in coverage, especially against tight ends. The Falcons gave up over 1,000 yards to tight ends last year, the fourth-most in the NFL.
Andersen’s impressive combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him the ideal “tight-end eraser.” With the Falcons set to face some of the premier tight ends in the NFL this year, that unique blend of skills could be a huge asset. Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson, Dallas Goedert, Pat Freiermuch, Brock Bowers, Darren Waller, and Zach Ertz will present major challenges to the Falcons defense this year if Andersen can’t step up.
With Elliss providing a boost to the pass rush and Andersen helping out in coverage, the Falcons linebackers could help this defense come closer to reaching their full potential this year. But it begins with a healthy and productive season from Andersen.