How Atlanta Falcons’ DeAngelo Malone Made His Roster Decision ‘Undeniable’

When the Atlanta Falcons’ special teams unit took the field for the first time this preseason against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 9 at Hard Rock Stadium, it was the latest in a series of opportunities for third-year outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone to prove himself.

He wasted no time.

After Miami Dolphins returner Malik Washington fumbled the kick, Malone pounced, bringing down the sixth-round rookie for a 10-yard loss. Malone made two more special teams tackles on the night.

Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said Malone was a force in the third phase of the game. It quickly became his identity — and his path to longevity at the sport’s highest level.

Malone played just two defensive games last season. He worked primarily with Atlanta’s second-team defense — comprised mostly of third- and fourth-string players — this summer, and he didn’t do much to generate pressure off the edge.

So when Atlanta began trimming its roster from 90 to 53 players on Tuesday, Malone appeared in danger of being a write-off. Instead, his special teams prowess made the decision easier for Falcons coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.

“Let’s not kid ourselves,” Morris said Thursday. “You’ve had the opportunity to see what DeAngelo means to this football team every Friday and Saturday (this preseason) where he’s gone out there and absolutely dominated the kicking phase of games.”

Malone, 25, finished the preseason with five tackles. However, his consistently disruptive coverage on kick and punt returns speaks volumes more than his final stats.

Malone, who stands 6-foot-4, weighs 250 pounds and ran a 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds two years ago, has a combination of size, strength, speed and tackling skills that make him a weapon in the third phase — even if it hasn’t yet translated into defensive success.

As a rookie in 2022, Malone had 29 tackles, including four for loss, two quarterback hits and a sack in 15 games. He played 216 defensive snaps, or 22% of Atlanta’s total.

It made sense for him to take the next step in his sophomore season, but his role focused almost entirely on special teams. He played in all 17 games, playing 364 special teams snaps, 78 percent of the team’s total, and finished the year with six tackles.

But with a new coaching staff — Morris and Lake replaced Arthur Smith and Ryan Nielsen, respectively, this offseason — bringing new perspectives and new skill preferences, Malone’s future has become uncertain.

Malone, however, has put an end to all internal questions this preseason. And in doing so, he has helped to silence any notion that Morris, an outspoken opponent of preseason games, doesn’t value exhibition games.

“Some people say, ‘You know, you don’t put a lot of stock in preseason games.’ No, I do, just in different areas,” Morris said. “And DeAngelo Malone was one of those guys that we talked about role clarity. He found a role in a niche and he made it undeniable.”

“We had to find a way to keep him on the football team so he could continue to do that at a very high level.”

So when Atlanta’s coverage unit takes the field on Sept. 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it will do so with Malone leading the way — and if his preseason is any indication, he might just be the first to welcome Steelers returnee and former Falcon Cordarrelle Patterson back to his old home.