Can the Falcons’ newcomer make the starting XI in defense?

The Atlanta Falcons are nearly halfway through training camp. While there are plenty of stories to tell on the offensive side of the football, there are some defenders who deserve mention as well.

All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III is definitely motivated to take the Falcons defense to the next level. He told reporters during training camp that the unit’s goal is to be in the top five in every category.

But he can’t do it alone. It will take other players reaching their potential on new defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake’s defense for that to happen. One of those potential players is a newcomer to the team’s defense: James Smith-Williams.

Like Bates last season, Smith-Williams is in his first training camp with the Falcons after signing as a free agent.

Through the first four days of camp, Smith-Williams has gotten a “good” amount of reps at fullback. The question for some is whether the fifth-year player can earn a starting spot on defense this season?

After four seasons with the Washington Commanders, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound linebacker has played 1,412 defensive snaps since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of NC State. As a player who has 47 quarterback pressures over the past two seasons, he has proven he can get after the quarterback and be a solid defender against the run.

What sets Smith-Williams apart from other players is his above-average competitive tenacity. He is always seen going the extra mile to make a football play, as seen above. For Atlanta, this could propel him to one of the starting outside linebacker spots opposite Lorenzo Carter.

Since his college days, Smith-Williams has always been an energetic football player with a good football IQ and a keen eye for the game.

“Obviously, I’m a very smart player. Recognition and play diagnosis is a big part of my game. But I’m also a very violent guy. I have great hand strength and a good shot. That’s what I love most about the game: the physical part. It’s a lot of fun to play pad-to-pad with another human being. I’m extremely athletic and a very energetic guy,” Smith-Williams said during his 2020 draft process.

Having sat behind two-time Miami Dolphins Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb as a member of the Wolfpack in college, he knows a thing or two about rising to the occasion when his number is called. For Atlanta fans, it’s worth keeping an eye on his activity in training camp, not just now, but likely when the pads are strapped on this week.

That’s when his push to become a starter this fall really begins.