The Falcons have what it takes in my estimation to be maybe the surprise team in the NFL and are perhaps the biggest Super Bowl sleeper team in the league heading into the 2026 season. The offense of the team has what it takes to be elite as their personnel ranks up there with any team in the sport, they have two very capable quarterbacks and have recently hired a two-time head coach of the year with an offensive background. The defense will need to hold up their end of the bargain however for the team to have a legitimate chance to contend. Here I will go into detail assessing the front seven personnel of the Falcons heading into the 2026 season.
Set to start at the first of the two edge rusher spots is 2024 4th rounder Brandon Dorlus who has looked solid in the NFL thus far. Dorlus has consistently graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall defense grade among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus in just under 500 career snaps. Dorlus, having only played about half a season’s worth of snaps, is still in line to improve and could very well take the jump from the above average range to elite range in terms of his capabilities as a player.
Set to start at the nose tackle position is journeyman Dashawn Hand who the Falcons signed this offseason. Hand consistently grades above average as a player and on a few occasions, he has graded in the elite range as a player as well. Hand is a high-level starter who remains a strong option for the Falcons on their defensive front.
Set to start at the other edge defender position is 2023 3rd rounder Zach Harrison who has looked strong in the NFL thus far. Harrison struggled as a rookie as one would expect but then graded in the above average to well above average range in each of the next two seasons. Harrison has yet to put together more than 343 snaps in a season, with the average healthy starter accumulating around 1000 in a season, so Harrison could very well still be in line to improve and consistently become an elite level player.
2025 1st rounder Jalon Walker is set to start at the first of the linebacker spots and is coming off a strong rookie season. Walker graded in the top third among players at his position despite being a rookie and is in line to build off of it going forward. Walker being such a high draft pick and coming off such a strong rookie season is in line to become a star in the NFL.
2021 3rd rounder Divine Deablo is set to start at the second linebacker spot and is a talented player who struggles with consistency. Deablo had a very strong rookie season grading in the top third among players at his position. But then Deablo graded in the below average range among players at his position for three straight seasons before grading in the borderline elite range in the 2025 season. It remains to be seen how effective he will be going forward but if he is not on his A game the Falcons have numerous reserve linebackers who could take his spot.
Set to start at the third linebacker spot is 2022 3rd rounder Christian Harris who has struggled in the NFL thus far who is currently the only real weak link in Atlanta’s starting front seven. Harris has graded in the below average to poor range in every season he has played thus far in the NFL. Perhaps Harris is better suited as a reserve as Atlanta does have several capable linebackers currently listed as reserves who could take his spot in the starting lineup.
Rounding out Atlanta’s starting front seven is 2025 1st rounder James Pearce Jr who had his struggles as a rookie but still earned first team all-rookie honors. Pearce Jr will certainly be in line to improve mightily heading into year 2 onwards and could present the Falcons with a very strong player at the position. However, if Pearce Jr does not improve off his up and down rookie season, the Falcons have numerous linebackers currently listed as reserves who could eventually take his spot in the starting lineup.
From a reserve standpoint in the front seven the Falcons have several notable names who could provide the team with some high-end depth and/or step into the starting lineup. Defensive lineman LaCale London is a starting caliber player who has graded in the above average to well above average range in each of his first two seasons in the league. 2024 2nd rounder Maason Smith has struggled in each of his first two seasons in the NFL grading poorly both times. However, Smith has yet to play a full season of snaps and could still reach his potential or at least prove to be a strong player, given how high he was drafted and his relative lack of experience thus far. Linebacker/Edge Defender Cameron Thomas is a capable starter or at least a high-end backup. 2022 3rd round linebacker Channing Tindall has played at a very strong level albeit in just 16 snaps but played well regardless and was drafted highly. Edge defender Samson Ebukam was once a regular starter and has a very high ceiling although struggling to stay consistent. Interior defensive lineman Elijah Garcia has played at a very strong level in limited snaps. 2022 3rd rounder DeAngelo Malone has looked subpar but not poor in limited NFL action but is still in line to improve as such a high draft pick who has not yet accumulated enough snaps. While a very similar narrative can be written for 2022 second round linebacker Troy Andersen who has struggled thus far in the NFL but has yet had enough of a chance to prove himself yet. While the likes of former 2nd rounders Ross Blacklock and Azeez Ojulari have been mostly busts thus far but were still taken very highly for a reason.
In totality the Falcons have what it takes in my estimation to have one of the premier front sevens in the NFL next season and a breakdown of Atlanta’s front seven can be found below.
2026 Projected Starting Falcons’ Front Seven
LDE – Brandon Dorlus – B so far as 2024 4th rounder, still improving
NT – DaShawn Hand – B to B+
RDE – Zach Harrison – B to B+, 2023 3rd rounder, still improving
WLB – Jalon Walker – B to B+ as rookie in 2025, 2025 1st rounder, in line to become star
LILB – Divine Deablo – C+ to B-, borderline elite ceiling but very inconsistent
RILB – Christian Harris – C to C- so far, 2022 3rd rounder, likely better suited as reserve
SLB – James Pearce Jr – C+ as rookie, 2025 1st rounder
2026 Notable Falcons’ Front Seven Reserves
ED – LaCale London – B to B+
NT – Maason Smith – D so far as 2024 2nd rounder, limited snaps, still has a chance to improve and live up to potential
LB – Cameron Thomas – B to B-
LB – Channing Tindall – B+ in very limited snaps, 2022 3rd rounder
LB – Samson Ebukam – C+ to B-
ED – Elijah Garcia – B to B+ in limited snaps
LB – DeAngelo Malone – C to C-, 2022 3rd rounder, still improving, yet to play full season of snaps
LB – Troy Andersen – C to C-, 2022 2nd rounder, still improving, yet to play full season of snaps
LB – Azeez Ojulari – C, 2021 2nd rounder, yet to play full season since rookie year, could still improve and live up to potential
DL- Ross Blacklock – 2020 2nd rounder, D so far, yet to play full season of snaps
