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How JD Bertrand fits in with the Atlanta Falcons

Theo

“Get your little Captain America ass over here and let’s get to work.”

” An ever-exuberant Raheem Morris told Notre Dame’s JD Bertrand after the Atlanta Falcons selected him with the 143rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Bertrand is from Alpharetta, Georgia, so you know that Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot had a peach next to JD’s name on their draft board. The Notre Dame product had an extremely productive college career, playing in 50 games and totaling an impressive 266 tackles during. his stay in South Bend.

Bertrand’s productivity led to an invitation to Mobile, Alabama, to participate in Senior Bowl practices. There, he caught the attention of scouts and was named Team USA’s best linebacker, an award voted on by the offensive linemen and running backs who participated in workouts with Bertrand. Despite putting up solid numbers and being named a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, Bertrand is a player that not many people know about, so I decided to dig deeper and find out how he fits in with the Falcons.

Where will he play?

JD Bertrand projects as an inside linebacker for Jimmy Lake’s base defense. He showed enough versatility to play either Mike or Will linebacker in Lake’s odd-man front and played both positions with the Fighting Irish. He’ll probably be preferred as Mike, where he settled in as a senior and played his best football. There, he can diagnose plays and shoot downhill to make stops. There is also green point potential with Bertrand. He is experienced and smart enough to call plays on the field for the defense.

To describe JD Bertrand, Terry Fontenot used the term “four player”. This is where JD Bertrand will take his first steps. He has enough intense makeup to excel in this area. Whether as a kickoff shooter or in punt coverage, as a runner on field goal units or as a blocker in the return game, there is no doubt that Bertrand will earn his spot in this third of the game.

Where is it good?

Bertrand’s instincts come out instantly as he flips through his tape. It’s obvious he spends a lot of time in the film room, as he tends to see plays before they develop and he’s usually in the right place at the right time. He has a natural nose for the football, leading Notre Dame in tackles for three straight seasons. His football intelligence stood out, as he was responsible for making sure his teammates were lined up in the right spots and knew their assignments. With 61 career pressures (per PFF) under his belt, Bertrand has shown he can be an effective blitzer when called upon. He won’t make any tackles at the edge, but will time the snap well enough to shoot through gaps and move quarterbacks out of place. “Well balanced” is an apt term to describe JD’s game. There are no glaring weaknesses.

What does he need to improve?

Most of Bertrand’s flaws are due to his lack of athleticism and length, which is unfortunatelyit’s not something that can be fixed. At 24 years old, he is more than likely limited in this area. Most notably, his lack of speed stands out and limits the range he can cover. There are, however, areas in which Bertrand can still improve to reach his ceiling as a footballer.

Missed tackles were a problem for JD during his college career. Improving his angles could help offset that negative and put him in a more favorable position where he won’t find himself lunging at opposing ball carriers. In coverage, Bertrand simply doesn’t have the speed or length to take on backs and tight ends. He’s just not that kind of linebacker. Still, he’s a pretty smart ballplayer where improving the depth of his drops can keep the action in front of him. He is at his worst when he is chasing and trying to make up lost ground.

Why it is suitable

We should all be familiar with the term “ethos” by now, as Terry Fontenot has used it several times to describe the makeup he looks for in his players. JD was a two-time team captain at Notre Dame, a Georgia native, and the type of guy every coach wants in their locker room. The child eats, sleeps and breathes football. As for what kind of man he is? High character. Bertrand wrote a personal letter to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy thanking him for the opportunity. “While unexpected and certainly unnecessary, it was a nice gesture from a mature young man who I am sure will outperform wherever he is drafted.” Nagy then tweeted.

I think Bertrand’s early career could resemble that of his new teammate Nate Landman. A backup linebacker who, when called upon, can come into the lineup and fill it admirably while racking up tackles. Bertrand may not offer Pro Bowl upside as a prospect, but his off-the-field intangibles and four-down ability could help him forge a long NFL career. Expect him to begin his Falcon tenure as a member of the lead task force.

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