Atlanta Falcons Expectations for 2024: Defense

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the Atlanta Falcons have attracted a lot of attention. The team has welcomed a slew of new members, including a brand new defensive coordinator. So, what are the expectations for this defense?

Nielsen’s Delusions

In 2023, Ryan Nielsen was the team’s defensive coordinator, helping the defense produce a solid season. The team ranked 11th in total defense, 8th in passing defense, and 20th in rushing defense. After the season ended, the team experienced a head coaching change when Arthur Smith was relieved of his duties. This eventually led to Nielsen taking the defensive coordinator job with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Atlanta eventually hired former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator and familiar face Raheem Morris. Morris, now in his second stint with the Falcons, rounded out their staff after being hired in January. Former Washington Huskies defensive coordinator and Rams assistant head coach Jimmy Lake landed a spot on Morris’ staff, becoming the Falcons’ new defensive coordinator. The defense will see its scheme change from a 4-3 defense to a base 3-4 defense, with Lake now wearing the helmet.

Path to a fast pass

All offseason, fans have been calling for the team to add a top-tier pass rusher to really make a mark on that side of the ball. Atlanta’s top two players in sacks, Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, signed elsewhere this offseason, putting more pressure on this current group of pass rushers.

Rather than signing notable defensive players in free agency, general manager Terry Fontenot opted to do so in the NFL draft last April. Atlanta drafted players like Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus for the defensive line and Bralen Trice to bolster the pass-rush unit. Fontenot did not select a cornerback in the draft, which caused confusion among fans.

Do more with less

While the team doesn’t have a marquee pass rusher, they do have Raheem Morris as their head coach. Yes, Morris won’t be on the field to contribute physically, but he has a history of helping coach underrated defensive linemen. Looking back at Morris’ final season in Los Angeles, Morris not only helped two rookies have very impressive seasons, but he also took over a defense that didn’t have many star players and produced a serviceable season, finishing 20th in total defense. 2023 third-round pick Kobie Turner recorded nine sacks with 50 quarterback pressures, while fellow wideout Byron Young recorded eight sacks with two forced fumbles. Morris could very easily do the same here and get the most out of this Atlanta group, helping guys like Arnold Ebiketie continue his development as a pass rusher.

No-fly zone?

A secondary led by All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III hopes to hold steady, even after losing former starter Jeff Okudah to the Houston Texans in free agency this offseason. Jimmy Lake’s expertise in coaching defensive backs has been well-documented. During his time in Washington, Lake’s unit held opponents to just 19.4 points per game during the 2019 season. Lake also helped develop a handful of current NFL players, such as Super Bowl champion and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. While this secondary will face a fair number of big receivers in 2024 — Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Davante Adams — they should still be able to hold their own, to some extent.

What to expect in 2024

That being said, it’s worth mentioning that the defense looks eerily similar to the 2023 version — minus a few players signed elsewhere — as the team still has many of the players it had last year, so Atlanta should feel a sense of continuity among its players. So, for now, this is all based on speculation and optimistic scenarios. But, with Grady Jarrett returning to the defensive line, Jessie Bates continuing to be a tremendous player and mentor, and a young pass-rushing group working to flourish, expect this defense to finish in the top 20, at the very least. Anything less than that could result in a disappointing experience for this coaching staff.