The Atlanta Falcons, who faced criticism for their draft choices and a perceived lack of effort to improve their pass rush and secondary, have made significant moves in recent weeks to address these concerns.
They acquired veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots and safety Justin Simmons from the Denver Broncos through recent trades and free-agent signings. These additions now pose a serious threat to the starting positions of two players who may have previously felt secure in their roles.
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the Falcons find themselves in a challenging situation with two of their first-string players from last season, OLB Arnold Ebiketie and S Richie Grant, both of whom are now at risk of losing their starting spots.
Arnold Ebiketie in Danger of Losing Position to Matthew Judon
Arnold Ebiketie was a standout player for the Falcons last season, recording seven sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, four quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss.
His pass-rushing grade of 70.1, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), highlighted his growth and potential as a key defensive player for Atlanta. However, despite his impressive performance, the arrival of Matthew Judon raises concerns about Ebiketie’s future as a first-string player.
Judon, despite an injury-plagued season in which he played only four games, still managed to tally four sacks. The 32-year-old veteran is entering his ninth NFL season and brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to Atlanta’s defense.
In 2022, Judon posted a pass-rushing grade of 70.2, slightly higher than Ebiketie’s from last season. This suggests that when healthy, Judon remains a powerful presence on the edge. While Judon may not directly replace Ebiketie, his inclusion in the Falcons’ pass rush rotation puts Ebiketie’s job security in jeopardy, especially if Judon can stay healthy and return to peak form.
Richie Grant’s Youth Not Enough to Outshine Veteran Justin Simmons
Richie Grant’s time with the Falcons has been marked by inconsistency. Now entering his fourth season, the former second-round pick has yet to make the impact that Atlanta expected. Grant’s defensive grades have struggled to surpass 64.9, and his best coverage grade came in 2022 with a 69.0.
However, his performance in coverage has been lackluster, allowing a reception percentage of 70.6%, conceding five touchdowns, recording just one interception, and making four pass breakups last season.
In contrast, Justin Simmons, a seasoned veteran with eight NFL seasons under his belt, presents a formidable challenge to Grant’s starting role. Although Simmons’ coverage grade dipped to 63.4 last season, his overall track record is impressive.
From 2019 to 2022, Simmons consistently posted coverage grades above 74.3, with a career-high of 91.1 in 2019. His ability to create turnovers, evidenced by his three interceptions and five pass breakups last season, along with a lower reception percentage allowed (63.9%), makes him a more reliable option in the secondary.
Simmons also demonstrates better tackling efficiency compared to Grant, with a missed tackle percentage of 11.8% compared to Grant’s 14.2%, positioning him as a strong contender for the starting safety position.
Falcons Defense Looks More Promising with New Additions
The final decision on who will start for the Falcons lies with head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. Morris, who brings extensive experience as a former defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, will play a crucial role in shaping Atlanta’s defense.
His collaboration with Lake will be key in determining the depth chart heading into the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Ebiketie and Grant currently hold first-string positions in the early preseason, the pressure is mounting. The addition of Judon and Simmons not only intensifies the competition but also raises expectations for Atlanta’s defense and the team as a whole. It’s clear that the Falcons didn’t acquire Judon and Simmons to have them sit on the bench.
