The Atlanta Falcons defense has been lackluster in previous years, to say the least. The Falcons found a way to muster together seven wins behind poor QB play, and one of the worst defenses in the league last season.
The Falcons addressed this issue by using five of their eight picks in the 2024 NFL draft on defense, specifically defensive line. Could this defense be more efficient in stopping offenses this season and finding their way moving up draft boards?
Atlanta Falcons 2023 Defense Stats and Production
Last season, the Atlanta Falcons defense had 42 sacks, 8 interceptions, 18 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, and 1 safety. The Falcons’ defense allowed 5,458 total yards and 373 points. They ranked in the bottom three defenses for interceptions and bottom ten for fumble recoveries. The Falcons’ defense does have bright spots in two-time All-Pro safety Jessie Bates, 2021 All-Pro 2nd Team A.J. Terrell, newly acquired All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, and veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Fulltime Fantasy had the Atlanta Falcons defense as DST27 last season. Although Atlanta’s defense ranked at the bottom of almost every metric (except sacks) last season the Falcons’ defense was only 14th in points allowed. The Falcons had a plethora of injuries last year with key pieces Jeff Okudah, Jarrett, and David Onyemata all missing time last season.
Atlanta Falcons Defense 2024 Projections
Yahoo Sports has Atlanta’s defense ranked as DST30 which is surprisingly lower than last season. Almost anywhere you look you will find Atlanta’s defense in the bottom third of the NFL’s defenses. Atlanta is projected to have 42 sacks, 12 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive touchdowns, and an average of just under 100 fantasy points for the season.
ESPN has Atlanta’s defense ranked as DST26 and projects the defense to produce 41 sacks, 14 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries, 1 defensive touchdown, and 82 total fantasy points.
New Additions this Offseason and Preseason
These projections put them around the same spot as last season, but with the addition of 3x All-Pro outside linebacker Matthew Judon and 4x All-Pro safety Justin Simmons things could be looking up for the Falcons defense. Atlanta’s focal point of the 2024 draft was drafting defense and bulking up the defensive line.
Atlanta drafted DT/EDGE Ruke Orhorhoro out of Clemson in the second round, EDGE Bralen Trice from Washington in the third round, DT Brandon Dorius from Oregon in the fourth round, and LB JD Bertrand in the 5th round. Atlanta used four of their first five picks addressing the very mediocre defensive line and did not draft a single secondary position.
All of these projections will change with the acquisition of Justin Simmons. This will not be huge, but there will be more interceptions and cover sacks.
Final Thoughts
This Atlanta Falcons defense needed an elite pass rusher, and now they have one with Judon to pair with Jarrett. They will need former second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie to break out this year. The secondary is solid with Simmons, Bates, and Terrell. Depth-wise, it is lacking behind those starters.
The silver lining is Atlanta has the easiest schedule in the NFL this season with only a couple of tough games against the Chiefs and Eagles early on in the season.
This Atlanta defense will not be a star-studded 20-point-per-game scorer that changes the course of your fantasy season. This defense could be a sneaky mid-tier defense that scores some points for your team. With an insanely easy schedule and some new additions to the team, this defense could find some serious success in the weak NFC South.
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