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Predicting the Atlanta Falcons defensive starters for 2022

By Grayson Freestone

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – JULY 27: Rashaan Evans #54 of Atlanta Falcons runs through a drill during a training camp practice on July 27, 2022 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Falcons projected starting inside and outside linebackers

  • ILB1: Rashaan Evans
  • ILB2: Deion Jones
  • OLB1: Lorenzo Carter
  • OLB2: Arnold Ebiketie

This might just be the most uncertain position for the Atlanta Falcons.

We know that Dean Pees loves Rashaan Evans, he has made that clear. Ultimately he has the experience and might just benefit from Deion Jones’ struggles last season. He was a starter for the Titans last year but it still just seems questionable to put him above Debo for some reason.

So many questions for Deion Jones. Will he be healthy enough to play? Will he be able to earn a starting spot? And will he even be on the roster in week one?

Deion Jones is clearly coming off of a horrendous season, but believe it or not, he can make a comeback. The first year in a new scheme is difficult, not to mention he was not fully healthy and still isn’t, so the coaching staff might elect to give him another shot when he recovers, but keep him on a short leash with Mykal Walker right behind him.

Lorenzo Carter is the most obvious candidate to start as the Falcons’ primary outside pass rusher. He will get the most snaps he has in his career, watch out for him as a breakout candidate.

Arnold Ebiketie or Ade Ogundeji, or even possibly DeAngelo Malone? It is a big question but ultimately the Falcons traded up to get Ebiketie in the second round for a reason, at the very least he will share the second OLB spot with Ogundeji.

There is a lot of pressure on these young pass rushers for Atlanta.

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