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A lot remains to be settled for the Atlanta Falcons between now and Week 1. In addition to determining their starting quarterback, the Falcons have a few big questions to answer defensively.
If James Pearce Jr. ends up being suspended, then the biggest challenge for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be how to generate an edge rush without him. After that, it may be deciding who are the best options to start at linebacker.
It's a good thing that Ulbrich is a former linebacker himself, because at the moment nobody outside the building seems to have any clue. Here's Josh Kendall at The Athletic breaking down why linebacker is so hard to predict.
"The lack of an obvious option means Bertrand could be in the mix for the job. He has the benefit of a year in Ulbrich’s system, but doesn’t have the same type of athletic profile as Harris and Daniels, so he’s not an ideal scheme fit. With established starter Divine Deablo playing on the final year of his deal, linebacker is the Falcons’ hardest position to predict beyond this season."
It's even harder to predict for 2025. We know that the Falcons will eventually want fourth-round pick Kendal Daniels to be in the starting lineup given their investment in him. However, it's not fair to expect that right away - promising as Daniels' game may be.
Beyond that, it's really anybody's guess who will be playing at the second level when the regular season comes around. Divine Deablo has one of the linebacker spots locked down, but the other remains up for grabs between Troy Andersen, Christian Harris and Daniels.
One potential solution would be to sign a long-time veteran who can not only reliably start but also help coach up the rest of the linebacker corps. Six-time All-Pro Bobby Wagner remains a free agent, for one...
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons insider names their hardest position to predict
Continue reading...
If James Pearce Jr. ends up being suspended, then the biggest challenge for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be how to generate an edge rush without him. After that, it may be deciding who are the best options to start at linebacker.
It's a good thing that Ulbrich is a former linebacker himself, because at the moment nobody outside the building seems to have any clue. Here's Josh Kendall at The Athletic breaking down why linebacker is so hard to predict.
"The lack of an obvious option means Bertrand could be in the mix for the job. He has the benefit of a year in Ulbrich’s system, but doesn’t have the same type of athletic profile as Harris and Daniels, so he’s not an ideal scheme fit. With established starter Divine Deablo playing on the final year of his deal, linebacker is the Falcons’ hardest position to predict beyond this season."
It's even harder to predict for 2025. We know that the Falcons will eventually want fourth-round pick Kendal Daniels to be in the starting lineup given their investment in him. However, it's not fair to expect that right away - promising as Daniels' game may be.
Beyond that, it's really anybody's guess who will be playing at the second level when the regular season comes around. Divine Deablo has one of the linebacker spots locked down, but the other remains up for grabs between Troy Andersen, Christian Harris and Daniels.
One potential solution would be to sign a long-time veteran who can not only reliably start but also help coach up the rest of the linebacker corps. Six-time All-Pro Bobby Wagner remains a free agent, for one...
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons insider names their hardest position to predict
Continue reading...
