For all the talk about this Atlanta Falcons pass-rush stepping up as one of the better units in the NFL, the primary argument has been a lack of star power without James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, but I think people tend to forget they do have a budding star up front: it's just someone no one talks about.
Third-year defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus got overshadowed by Pearce's 10.5 sacks last season, and without Pearce and Walker, he's still not getting the respect he deserves. And that's despite stepping up in lieu of a shorthanded pass-rush that has the Falcons leading the NFL in pressures.
Dorlus went for 8.5 sacks last season, and because it's been a slower start in that respect, he hasn't been talked about as much. Gervon Dexter Sr. has garnered more attention than him though Atlanta's pass-rush has been elevated by this dynamic duo of players who mainly play along the interior.
In the 31-23 loss to the Bears in Week 6, the 25-year-old was a bright spot. Dorlus in his best game of the season. He amassed a team-high five pressures of Caleb Williams, his first sack of the season, and two TFLs, but because the Falcons lost and are 2-4, his play isn't getting discussed as much as it should.
Through six weeks, the only defensive tackle with more pressures than Dorlus' 23 is Zach Allen of the Denver Broncos, who has 26. And his 19 pressures across the last four lead the NFL, so while the sack numbers haven't been there, they should come soon, which means it's only a matter of time he becomes the household name he deserves to be since he plays multiple roles for this defense.
Brandon Dorlus has been the unsung hero of the Atlanta Falcons' defense
The 2024 fourth-round pick is also tied for second in the NFL (alongside his teammate Maason Smith) with a 27% pass-rush win rate per ESPN, and only Jeffery Simmons--who is arguably the best DT in the NFL-- is ahead of him. By every metric, Dorlus has been one of the top DTs in this league.
But because Dexter was the recent offseason pickup, it's easy to look past a budding star interior lineman on a 2-4 team. But Dorlus has been the unsung hero of the group, and instead of regressing, he's been as productive as ever despite not being able to pick up as many sacks in clean-up.
The Dirty Birds should be well aware by now that they have a gem in No. 54, because he continues to produce regardless of how many eyes are on him. He's currently threatening Grady Jarrett's record of 18 consecutive games with a pressure, as the former Oregon standout is sitting at 14 straight games.
Productive defensive lineman (unless they're Micah Parsons-level edges) never really get much attention, and recognition is harder to come by for interior linemen. But he's able to play off the edge and on the interior, and his versatility has been one huge asset to an Atlanta defensive line that's needed someone to step up--and he has. No matter what they ask him to do, Dorlus has delivered.
Brandon Dorlus deserves to be a household name in this league and he's starting to play like one, so the Atlanta Falcons should start preparing for extension talks this offseason.
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