Falcons rookie needed just two preseason games to confirm Atlanta found a gem

Atlanta Falcons rookie DT and Atlanta native Carlos Allen Jr. (6-foot-1, 295 pounds) is choosing to leave it all on the field ahead of the August 30th 53-man cut-down. The former Kennesaw State interior particularly gained steam in joint practices and preseason matchup vs the Colts as part of a developing defensive line.

Nate Ollie’s defensive tackle room acts on an aggressive, attack-style front, synonymous with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s philosophy. Give credit to the edge rushers that contributed to the “worst to first” 2nd-most sacks in the NFL, but the interior also produced week-to-week. Watch the film and see the development of Allen beyond his three tackles on the stat sheet.

His college foundation of production can continue to translate, leading all FBS IDL with 80 tackles in his final season. Frankly, it is hard to believe that leading Big 12 interior defensive linemen and being second among all linemen “only” making being named to the All-Big 12 Second Team.

Carlos Allen Jr. is making a real push to make the Falcons' roster

Considering the multiple-bases of Jeff Ulbrich’s defensive front, rendition of inside/out alignment includes someone like Brandon Dorlus in the interior discussion of the depth chart, even if he will primarily start hand-in-the-dirt edge snaps coming off of his staggering 8.5 sack season last year. Where does Allen Jr. project to find himself a spot on this team and fit into the pecking order? Nine defensive tackles saw snaps for the Falcons over the course of the 2025 season, with seven seeing what could be defined as significant snaps. Of that smaller group, Kentavius Street, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Sam Roberts are no longer with the team. Zach Harrison (similar alignment to Brandon Dorlus’s previous mention) aims to return to health after 7 starts and 4.5 sacks. LaCale London figures to continue the incredible value he offered last season in 13 games and 5 starts.

The new meat? Sixth-round pick Anterio Thompson has found himself on the NFI (non-football injury list) with not much reporting on the matter. Georgia native Devonnsha Maxwell claims 24 snaps from the win over the Colts (Allen had 22). The UFL Champion led the team with 43 defensive snaps in the blowout loss in Week 1 vs the Broncos (Allen had 36). Duking it out with one another for possibly a final spot. Most recent addition to the entire team, four-year NFL veteran Eric Johnson II, rolled into the locker room just in time for the Colts matchup (three of his four seasons spent there), impressive in itself that he even dressed out and played 17 snaps.

Johnson is a visual testament to the team having not made decisions yet in this room, to the team not being settled and content with the current personnel. Lastly, two “locks” to make the team? Da’Shawn Hand and Maason Smith. Hand’s 34 3/8” arms go to work rushing the passer & high-end get-off/long speed for the former No. 1 recruit has contributed to him being an underrated player in this league heading into his ninth season. Smith couldn’t know on NFL Draft night that he would be traded for another DT that went 13 picks before him (Ruke Orhorhoro). His 305+ pound build paired with his 35-inch arms was more desirable filling needs for the new regime than the sub-295 pound Orhorhoro.

With a few perceived “locks” to make the team in Dorlus, Harrison, London, Hand, and Smith and the reflective vision of quantity at the position last season, there’s a few spots to be had. Carlos Allen Jr. has put himself in as good of a spot as he can heading into the final preseason matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

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