Projecting the Atlanta Falcons pre-NFL Draft depth chart
Linebackers
- OLB: 1- Foyesade Oluokun, 2- Brandon Copeland
- ILB: 1- Deion Jones, 2- Mykal Walker
- OLB: 1- Mykal Walker, 2- Barkavious Mingo
Another group on this Atlanta Falcons defense that is pretty well intact is the linebacker corps.
Deion Jones racked up his fourth 100+ tackle season over the course of his five-year career while leading the Falcons in sacks with 4.5. Foyesade Oluokun is on his way to becoming a truly elite player for this defense, doing a little bit of everything for the Falcons a season ago.
Oluokun racked up 117 tackles, four tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and two Interceptions in 2020.
Mykal Walker played well at times throughout 2020, recording 45 tackles despite making sporadic appearances a season ago, also being quite potent in coverage and will continue to mold with an increased role.
Much like on the defensive line the aforementioned Copeland and Mingo are capable of playing OLB in this scheme and will likely anchor down the number two spots on both sides.
Positional Grade: B
Cornerback
- L-Corner Back: 1- AJ Terrell, 2- Kendall Sheffield
- N-Corner Back: 1- Isiah Oliver, 2-Tyler Hall
- R-Corner Back: 1- Fabian Moreau, 2-Chris Williamson
Outside of AJ Terrell who had an impressive season in 2020 the rest of this group is in deep water.
Kendall Sheffield struggled heavily throughout 2020 while Isiah Oliver started to churn the wheels on his progression a little bit following his move to the slot. Oliver is destined to reclaim that role in the slot as he fits the mold of what Dean Pees likes out of his nickel corners but improvements are imminent.
The Atlanta Falcons signed Fabian Moreau who will get the early season nod as the starting corner opposite side of Terrell due to how poor Oliver and Sheffield have played in that role. Moreau is an above-average corner in coverage and against the run but due to a crowded DB room in Washington failed to see the field for a substantial amount of time consistently.
Tyler Hall, Chris Williamson, and Delrick Abrams will fill depth roles but those spots are wide open as we head into the draft and then come the preseason.
The position grade for this unit is low but with Pees and the addition of Moreau, it could rise greatly along with whoever is added in late April.
Position Grade: C+
Safety
- FS: 1- Erik Harris, 2- TBD
- SS: 1- Jaylin Hawkins, 2- TJ Green
The Atlanta Falcons safety group needs some serious retooling following the losses of Keanu Neal, Ricardo Allen, and Damontae Kazee.
Erik Harris comes over from Las Vegas, starting 12 games for the Raiders a season ago, and is a short-term answer with above-average ball skills. Jaylin Hawkins, the Falcons fourth-round selection from a season ago, also showcased his ball skills and aggressiveness while at Cal and will have an opportunity to earn the starting FS spot.
TJ Green, a Clemson grad will be a depth filler but currently, the back end is quite thin for the Falcons and Safety will be a big priority for Atlanta as we enter April.
Jaylin Hawkins, following his tenure at Berkley, will be intriguing to see how he performs this fall but currently, the grade is disgraceful.