Where does the Rush Pass come from?

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons’ pass rush took a notable step forward in 2023, finishing with more sacks — 42 — than the previous two years combined.

But many key figures from that unit are gone, from defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen (who took the same job with the Jacksonville Jaguars) to co-sack leaders Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree, who each had 6.5 and signed elsewhere in free agency.

Now led by new head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, the Falcons are transitioning to a 3-4 base defense, which means different responsibilities and personnel groups.

There are also several new faces on the roster, including four draft prospects — second-round defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, third-round defensive end Bralen Trice, fourth-round defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus and sixth-round defensive tackle Zion Logue — and veterans like former Washington Commanders defensive end James Smith-Williams.

With a history of pass rush issues and plenty of uncertainty surrounding this year’s group, the Falcons have a lot to answer for in camp — and ahead of Atlanta’s trip to training camp on July 24, Falcons on SI is previewing each position group. Click the link to read previews of the quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and tight ends.

Here’s what you need to know about the Falcons’ defensive line and forward groups heading into 2024…

Two-level depth chart

Defensive End: Zach Harrison, James Smith-Williams

Defensive Tackles: Grady Jarrett, Ta’Quon Graham

Defensive tackles: David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro

Outside Linebacker: Arnold Ebiketie, Bralen Trice

Outside Linebacker: Lorenzo Carter, Bradlee Anae

Other players who could potentially make the roster: defensive lineman Kentavius ​​Street, defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus, defensive tackle Zion Logue,

The Biggest Questions

1. Can Ebiketie and Harrison continue to climb?

A second-round pick in 2022, Ebiketie turned a flashy rookie season into a sophomore leap. He finished third on the team with six sacks and 12 quarterback hits last season while recording 28 pressures and 17 pressures on 175 pass rush snaps, giving him a pressure rate of 10.2 percent.

Today, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Ebiketie is poised to become the Falcons’ best player. His arrow has been pointing upward for a long time, but if he can become a double-digit sack contributor, Atlanta’s pass-rushing will unlock new potential.

The same goes for Harrison, a third-round pick in 2023 who made a strong debut as a rookie. Over his last three games, Harrison has four tackles for loss and three sacks, highlighting the potential he’s shown in spurts over his four years at Ohio State.

Harrison has played several different positions on Atlanta’s defensive line during OTAs and minicamp, though his most natural position is as a 3-4 defensive end who can kick inside if needed. He spent a lot of time with Lake and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers throughout the summer and has made both of them fans.

But for Atlanta’s pass rush to maintain the momentum it built last season, such glimpses — from both Ebiketie and Harrison — must become the norm.

2. What is the contribution of beginners?

The Falcons were widely expected to select a pass rusher with the eighth overall pick in April’s draft, but instead opted for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. But with its next three picks, Atlanta added a trio of players to its defensive front and added a fourth shortly after.

Morris, who was hired as Atlanta’s head coach on Jan. 25, is coming off a season as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator in which two third-round draftees — defensive tackle Kobie Turner (nine) and outside linebacker Byron Young (eight) — combined for 17 sacks.

So there’s some intrigue surrounding the impact Orhorhoro, Trice, Dorlus and Logue have had on the Falcons this fall. All four played with the first and second defenses at different points this summer, though only Orhorhoro did so consistently. The other three were much more sparse.

Still, the results are there. In Division I, Trice and Dorlus rank No. 1 and No. 15 in quarterback hurries with 53 and 35, respectively. Orhorhoro earned All-ACC honors twice. Logue played 50 games in five seasons at Georgia.

After the draft, Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot said they were pleased with the length and versatility they added to the defensive line. They hope production follows — and camp will help determine how quickly the opportunity presents itself to provide it.

3. What can Jarrett and Onyemata do with a full season together?

The Falcons spent several years trying to find Jarrett a teammate on the interior of the defensive line, and when they finally did so by signing Onyemata last spring, they saw just eight games of the final product.

Jarrett, who missed just two games from 2016-22, suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 of last season and missed the remainder of the season. He had 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits to his name at the time of his injury.

Onyemata has battled several injuries of his own, but he has played and started 14 games, recording four sacks, six tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits, good for second on the team behind Campbell.

Jarrett spent minicamp working on the sidelines while rehabbing his knee. Onyemata barely participated in OTAs and minicamp. But both players should be healthy by Week 1 and should be active during training camp.

In a defense where questions abound, Jarrett and Onyemata give the Falcons two definitive answers inside. If they can play a full season together, the result could be eight years and three coaching staffs in the making.

Extracurricular activities

One of the most underrated roster questions facing the Falcons heading into camp involves third-year outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone, who played just two defensive snaps last season.

In Atlanta’s final on-field practice of minicamp, Malone worked on the field encompassing the third- and fourth-string defense. The 2022 third-round pick has struggled to find a consistent role on defense and appears to be firmly on the roster bubble — how his preseason plays out will be crucial to his long-term future.

Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman had a dramatic last two years with the Falcons despite not playing a single snap — he retired before training camp in 2022 but returned in 2023, only to be placed on the exempt/left-field list in late July.

But Goldman has been an active participant in OTAs and minicamp, and at 6’3”, 300 pounds, he’s the heaviest player on Atlanta’s defense. Goldman hasn’t played a competitive game since 2021, but Goldman’s role and productivity in camp are something to watch.

One final thought for Edge: Morris seemed very optimistic about Anae after the Falcons signed him after the May 10 tryout, and Anae spent several sessions working with Atlanta’s second-team defense. The former Dallas Cowboy and New York Jet is an underrated candidate for the roster heading into the end of the summer.

The Falcons will hold two open workouts this fall, one on July 27 and one on August 2. Additional information on the schedule, location and tickets is available HERE. For the Atlanta training camp schedule, click HERE.