Atlanta Falcons’ Day 3 rookie expected to ‘thrive’ under Raheem Morris

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons’ rookie class has drawn a wide range of criticism, though the most common centers are long-term optimism and short-term skepticism about the group’s ability to make an immediate impact.

But fourth-round pick defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus might be able to ease those concerns.

With several departures on the defensive line, including last year’s co-sack leaders Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, the opportunity exists for Dorlus to carve out a role for himself – and Bleacher Report believes he’ll do just that, ranking him as one of seven rookies acquired on Day 3 of the draft who can flourish this fall.

“Dorlus is stuck somewhere between a base winger and an interior player,” Bleacher Report wrote. “Dorlus has the explosiveness and length to be a weapon on the edge, as well as the weight to theoretically be a useful player along the interior.”

Part of the excitement surrounding the 6-foot-3, 283-pound Dorlus is his fit with new head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, both of whom arrived this spring from the Los Angeles Rams.

Bleacher Report noted Dorlus’ hybrid build, resembling a pair of former Rams in A’Shawn Robinson and Jonah Williams. Dorlus is the best bet on Atlanta’s defense to fill that role, which has seen Robinson and Williams play at least 50 percent of the Rams’ defensive snaps in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

After the draft, Morris praised Dorlus’ versatility and ability to generate pressure from a variety of positions. During the 2023 season at Oregon, Dorlus received 253 three-technique snaps, 159 4i snaps and 160 edge snaps.

In 2023, Dorlus recorded a team-best 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He deflected nine passes, the most of any PAC-12 defensive lineman, and ranked No. 15 in the country with 35 quarterback pressures. He earned All-PAC-12 honors for the third consecutive season.

The Falcons’ defensive line is plagued with questions, with third-year outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and second-year defensive end Zach Harrison tasked with improving. Ebiketie was third on the team with six sacks last year, while Harrison has three sacks and four tackles for loss in his last three appearances.

Behind them are third-round rookie Bralen Trice, veteran Lorenzo Carter, experienced defensive end James Smith-Williams and six-year pro Kentavius ​​Street, who can play both inside and outside.

Atlanta’s interior defensive line has many more answers, led by Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata with depth pieces such as Ta’Quon Graham and second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro.

But with uncertainty over the productivity of the passer rush, the Falcons believe Dorlus has a chance to be part of the solution — and his skillset suggests a bigger role than some anticipate in Year 1.

“It’s hard to imagine a world in which a player as flexible as Dorlus couldn’t find his place on the field in some way,” Bleacher Report writes.