Question of the Week: What is the biggest question facing the Falcons defense in 2024?
The Falcons have a new defensive coordinator in Jimmy Lake, which raises some questions about a new-look defense next season.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons defense made positive strides last season, yet there’s still more progress that can be made.
In 2022, the Falcons were ranked No. 23 in points allowed and No. 27 in yards allowed among the NFL. In 2023, those rankings went up to 18th and 11th, respectively. A top-10 marker would be the next step in those overall categories.
That prompts the latest Question of the Week: What is the biggest question facing the Falcons defense in 2024? The Falcons editorial staff of Terrin Waack and Amna Subhan answer below. Tori McElhaney is on vacation and therefore sitting this one out.
WAACK: How are the Falcons are going to roll out their inside linebackers? That position group is stacked with talent.
Kaden Elliss is a proven starter, doing so since he came to Atlanta in 2023. Nate Landman proved himself as one last season, too, as he filled in the role full-time from Week 4 on. Troy Andersen was poised to continue proving himself last year, but a season-ending injury in Week 3 derailed those plans.
Now, in 2024, all three are back – and healthy. That’s great for the Falcons. But there is a caveat that makes it interesting.
Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake has said Atlanta will run a base 3-4 defense, which normally features two inside linebackers.
Well, head coach Raheem Morris has also said there’s a possibility that rule is scratched and all three are sent out onto the field at the same time.
“You get creative,” Morris said. “You get innovative.”
Teases like that pique my interest. My question here is more out of curiosity than concern.
Because it gets even better when you remember a certain someone the Falcons drafted: inside linebacker JD Bertrand. He was their fifth-round pick back in April. General manager Terry Fontenot was very excited about Bertrand, calling him “a smart, instinctive football player.”
The Falcons then also have Milo Eifler and Donavan Mutin to consider.
There is so much depth in this position room.
