In the NFL, changes happen quickly, especially for teams that don’t perform well. The Atlanta Falcons experienced this firsthand in 2023 when they had their sixth consecutive season below .500. To address this issue, the Falcons made major changes to their organization. They brought in head coach Raheem Morris, signed quarterback Kirk Cousins, and traded away Desmond Ridder. Although there weren’t many changes on the defensive side, the Falcons added several interior defensive linemen to strengthen their defense.
Grady Jarrett has been a standout player for the Falcons for the past ten years but often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. David Onyemata is another key player on the defensive line for Atlanta and had a strong performance last season, ranking No. 18 on Pro Football Focus’ list of top interior defensive linemen. Onyemata followed former Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen from New Orleans to Atlanta and is expected to have an important role in the upcoming season.
Jarrett was ranked at No. 28 on PFF’s list of top interior defensive linemen, showing his consistent performance and value to the Falcons. Although Calais Campbell didn’t re-sign with the team, his versatility and skill could still be beneficial to any team in need of them. The changes within the Falcons organization indicate a shift in strategy and focus as they aim for a successful 2024 season.
The additions of interior defensive linemen Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, Zion Logue, Eddie Goldman (who came out of retirement), Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata are all crucial pieces that will make up a formidable defense for Atlanta in 2024.
The signing of quarterback Kirk Cousins will also bring stability to an offense that has struggled recently. With Morris as head coach and Cousins leading the way on offense, it looks like the Falcons are set up for success next year.
Overall, these changes within the organization show that Atlanta is taking a different approach to its football strategy moving forward into 2024 season
