Are the Falcons done adding Pass Rushers? Jessie Bates III steps in

The Atlanta Falcons have long struggled with pass rush question marks, and they haven’t done as much as many expected to ease those concerns this offseason.

None of Atlanta’s sack leaders from a season ago — Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, who had 6.5 each — are currently on the list.

The Falcons drafted four defensive players in second-round tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, third-round edge rusher Bralen Trice, fourth-round tackle Brandon Dorlus and sixth-round tackle Zion Logue, but rejected the spot at No. 8 overall. of the general classification, opting instead. for Michael Penix Jr. in hopes of getting a long-term answer at quarterback.

With no surefire immediate impact additions to a pass rush that was tied for 21st in sacks league-wide with 42 last season, uncertainty lingers over whether the Falcons have made any enough to help their cause.

But All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III is optimistic about the group Atlanta boasts up front, in part because of the influx of recruits.

“I thought we had a lot of young guys up front that are very versatile, can rush a little bit, play inside and play the run,” Bates said after an OTA practice. “I feel comfortable with the guys we have. We had a really good defense overall and that’s just something to build on for this year.”

The Falcons return several impact passers, including outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie, who had six sacks as a second-year pro in 2023, and defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata, two established pressure players.

There’s also veteran outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter and rising second-year defensive end Zach Harrison, who had three sacks and four tackles for loss in his final three games as a rookie.

So Atlanta has some pieces — and Bates thinks more could be on the way, thanks to Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.

“Terry and them, I don’t think they’re done with the offseason,” Bates said. “There’s still a lot of sightings going on week after week – that’s why we’re here. But I’m sure they’ll have a plan.”

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The Falcons are ending OTAs and will move to mandatory minicamp June 10-12 before taking their break for the summer. They haven’t announced when training camp will begin, but it’s often the last week of July, which gives players about six weeks to get away and recharge before season preparation begins. accelerated.

This break also presents an opportunity for Atlanta’s rookies to breathe for the first time since last summer, as many went straight from their final college season to draft prep and straight to rookie minicamp and OTAs.

But if there is fatigue, Falcons defensive line coach Jay Rodgers hasn’t noticed it.

The rookies arrived in Flowery Branch well late, with the veterans nearly a month early after starting the offseason program on April 2. The Falcons are trying to speed up the process for rookies and hold separate meetings for them, trying to help players catch up. with an educational tape that veterans have already seen.

Rodgers and the rest of Atlanta’s staff can’t spend more time on the field with the rookies, but they are often together within the walls of team headquarters. So far there has been little wasted time and a steady rate of growth thanks to the new additions.

“They were all very attentive in the meetings,” Rodgers said. “We work on developing those traits, and then we try to take the things we learn in the meeting room and apply them to what we do on the field.”

The question now for Fontenot and the Falcons is whether the rookie class has made enough of an impression to avoid signing a veteran on the sidelines this summer. It’s worth noting that Campbell still hasn’t signed, and he and head coach Raheem Morris have had discussions about a reunion, although it’s unclear exactly how those discussions played out.

But for Bates, Rodgers, Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, the goal remains the same no matter who takes the field this fall.

“Whether we go get a new guy or not, whoever is on that board better get to the quarterback sooner rather than later,” Bates said.

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