Latest news with #JalonWalker
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Falcons mailbag: Can they stop the run? Why so many prime-time games?
It's time for a mailbag, and for once, we're not starting with questions about the quarterback. Don't worry, we'll get there, but we're going to start with run defense and how new Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has changed his approach dramatically in the last decade. Have you been able to extrapolate anything from Ulbrich's history and the personnel acquisitions to get any idea of what the Falcons' defense will look like? Will it all be built on speed and quickness? It looks like Kentavius Street and David Onyemata are the only 300-plus-pound players on defense. Who's providing the push and clogging up the running lanes? — Jess H. Most offensive plays are three-receiver sets, which means the defense will have five defensive backs (two safeties and three cornerbacks). If we are playing Jalon Walker and James Pearce as edge rushers, that leaves four players remaining. My question is in regard to the remaining four starters. Are we playing with a middle linebacker and three down linemen (which means we are predominantly blitzing with three down linemen and two edges rushing the passer)? Or against three-receiver sets, are we going to line up with two off-ball linebackers and only two down linemen? If that is the case, won't we be light against defending the run as both Walker and Pearce are in the 240-pound range? — Kir71 I'm starting here because the run defense is one of my top concerns, too, and because it allows us to get into something very interesting about how NFL football is played now. The Falcons were 15th in the NFL in run defense last year, allowing 120.6 yards per game, and a deeper look is more troubling. They were in the bottom half of the league in almost every advanced rush defense statistic, including 26th in rush defense success rate (57.7 percent), 23rd in yards allowed before contact per rush (1.59), 20th in rush defense EPA per 100 snaps (1.7), 18th in yards allowed per carry (4.5). Advertisement Here's the interesting part: Those numbers don't bother the Falcons as much as you think they would. Bears coach Ben Johnson made offseason headlines this year when he said passing game EPA (expected points added) is now the most significant statistical determinant in wins and losses. He's not alone in that thought. In fact, Ulbrich sees things the same way, and it has changed the way he does his job. 'It's such a huge shift in how football has ever been approached,' Ulbrich said. 'It forced me to reassess how I approach defense because I was classically taught in this game, 'You better stop the run first.' It's been an evolution for me in the last 10 years. Do I want to stop the run? Of course I do. But I would say my focus is primarily to stop the pass.' Ulbrich said he now spends at least 60 percent of his preparation time on the passing game. 'That's the game we play nowadays,' he said. It also affects how defenses are built, which brings us to Kir's question about formations and player sizes. There's no question Atlanta's defense got more athletic — and potentially explosive — with the additions of Walker and Pearce in the draft as well as edge rusher Leonard Floyd and linebacker Divine Deablo through free agency. But it also got smaller. All three edge rushers are 245 pounds or below, and Deablo is a 223-pound inside linebacker who's going to be taking a lot of the snaps played last season by 238-pound inside linebacker Nate Landman, who moved to the Rams in free agency. Grady Jarrett (288 pounds) and Eddie Goldman (325 pounds) are gone from the interior of the defensive line, which does leave Street (315 pounds) and Onyemata (310 pounds) as the big boys for the middle of the defensive line. (The 300-pound Ta'Quon Graham just barely missed the 'plus 300-pound club.') Advertisement When Ulbrich was the Jets' defensive coordinator over the last three seasons, New York was running almost exclusively a 4-3 front because that was the background of coach Robert Saleh. Ulbrich's Falcons will be a 3-4 base defense, which Ulbrich said will give him more flexibility to scheme around being lighter at some positions, and it sounds like he doesn't want to be predictable in any way, so I would imagine that he won't match any particular offensive look the same way every time. I'll end with this: After years of fussing at the Falcons to beef up their pass rush (I'm not pointing fingers because I've been part of that push, too.), it's unfair to now say: 'Great job, now you're just going to get run on all day.' It is a challenge, though, and how they address it will be interesting. I feel as though we have been searching for this 'star' edge rusher to alleviate all of our pass-rush problems, but my question is how important is depth (which we have also been sorely lacking) at that position? If none of our guys turn into premier rushers, do you think we can still have a competent and productive pass rush? — Matthew L. This question gives me a chance to use this quote from new defensive line coach Nate Ollie: 'You can never have enough rushers. I stand on that.' This Falcons' front seven will emphasize all-out effort with lots of rotation, Ollie said. 'No jabs. It's all haymakers that we're trying to throw,' he said. 'It's hard to do that for 60 plays in a game, so we need waves of rushers. You need rushers, man. I'm really excited. Just waves of pass rush.' So, yes, depth is a significant factor. Last year, the Falcons kept nine defensive linemen and four outside linebackers/edge rushers on the initial 53-man roster. That ratio probably will change this year, considering Floyd, Walker, Pearce Jr. and fellow edge rushers Arnold Ebiketie and Bralen Trice seem like locks to make the roster. Special teams ace/edge rusher DeAngelo Malone also would be a difficult cut. No matter how many pass rushers make the team, they all can expect to play plenty. Kyle Pitts and Troy Andersen, alleged unicorns athletically, is this their year, or what? — MJ I'm not going to bet on it. Pitts' ups and downs are well-chronicled. For Andersen, the issue has been availability. Since being drafted in the second round in 2022, he has played in only 26 games because of injury. He has played in only nine the last two seasons. It's not fair to call Andersen injury-prone, but players with his hyper athleticism are prone to being undone by injury simply because it can take away their superpower. If Andersen returns to the field the same type of athlete he was as a rookie and can stay healthy, I still believe he can be a very valuable part of the rotation, if not a starter. We just don't have an answer to those two 'if' questions. Advertisement There was a lot of talk about the underdrafted free agents being Round 8 of the draft, and finding players like cornerback Cobee Bryant and wide receiver Nick Nash, who were mocked to be drafted a lot earlier, highlights that. If those two are to make the roster, which wide receivers and cornerbacks are most at risk of losing their spots? — Edward Corrigan The Falcons have 13 wide receivers on their 90-man roster, but only Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge are locks to make the team. Casey Washington probably will as well, which would leave one open position if the Falcons carry six wide receivers. They carried only five to open last season, but if there is a sixth spot to be had, Nash has just as good a chance of earning it as any of the other contenders on the team. The numbers look similar at cornerback. Atlanta has 11 with only A.J. Terrell, Mike Hughes, Clark Phillips III and Mike Ford Jr. (primarily in a special teams role) secure in their spots. The Falcons kept five cornerbacks to start last the season, and Bryant's top contenders for that spot are Kevin King, Dee Alford and Keith Taylor. I was surprised by the lack of moves to surround Michael Penix Jr. with more weapons. There were some notable wide receivers (George Pickens, Stefon Diggs, Cooper Kupp, etc.) available for the taking, but it looks like we are rolling with what we've got there. And we could have found another helpful tight end somewhere in case Pitts doesn't come back from the dead. Usually, teams give their young quarterbacks protection and weapons, and I am not sure the Falcons did that. — Eric W. Atlanta already had a good offensive infrastructure in place for Penix and needed so much help on defense that I'm not surprised by its offseason acquisitions. The Falcons have three first-round picks (Jake Matthews, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary) and one second-round pick (Matthew Bergeron) on the offensive line, two receivers with 1,000-yard season capability (Drake London and Darnell Mooney) and one of the best one-two running back punches in the league (Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier). If Penix can't succeed with this offensive personnel, he probably can't succeed in this league. I will say I'm surprised they haven't added a tight end. Is there a scenario this year where Kirk Cousins gets the starting job back if Michael Penix Jr. is struggling and Cousins is healthy? Before you automatically say 'No,' remember that Penix is far from established and Cousins was a two-time NFC Player of the Week before he hurt his shoulder. Plus, this front office and coaching staff are on the hot seat and can't afford to be in 'QB Development' mode. — Jason M. There should be that chance. Coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have been adamant that they make all decisions based on what is best for the team, and if Penix does struggle, then going back to a quarterback with Cousins' history definitely should be considered. However, because it's the quarterback position and Penix still is developing his game and his confidence, going back to Cousins might have long-term implications for his future. This is the No. 1 reason I have been a proponent of the Falcons getting Cousins out of the building one way or another. Penix and Cousins are both pros and are friends, and I wouldn't expect any significant issues if they are both on the team next year, but if they are and if Penix struggles, it becomes a question. And that question is not good for Penix, whom Morris and Fontenot have said is the future for the team. Has Kirk Cousins been around the team much? Do we actually anticipate him being the best backup QB in the league? Or are the Falcons going to have limited depth at the position if he decides to hold out or gets traded? — Griffin B. We don't really know how much Cousins has been around, except that he was in the building on the first day of the offseason program. Questions about whether he intended to take part in all or most of the voluntary workouts have been deflected and those workouts and meetings are closed to the media. The first mandatory practice that will be open to the media is a minicamp practice on June 10, so I wouldn't expect much new information until then, unless the Falcons find a trade partner. Random one. You can choose three players from all of Falcons history (offense, defense, special teams) to join the current roster and get the franchise to the promised land. Who are you taking? — Philippe C. Julio Jones, Deion Sanders and Devin Hester. Sanders is a no-brainer and Jones is, too, unless you want to make the argument that Matt Ryan should be the choice despite the confidence in Penix. Sanders could handle the return duties, too, and allow me to pick someone other than Hester, but I don't want the injury risk that comes with that. JULIO JONES. 54 YARDS. Falcons take the lead! — NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 16, 2019 The last seven years have been miserable, and I'm becoming jaded to expecting anything from this team. Can you provide some reason for excitement and optimism for the year ahead? — Joshua B. Absolutely. Obviously, a team that has missed the playoffs and had a losing record the last seven seasons naturally leads to more skeptical storylines, but I am always a proponent of offseason optimism. This offense is going to be fun to watch (more on that in the next answer). Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had a good debut season, and there's reason to believe this year could be more fun because he'll have a full offseason to fit his offensive system (essentially the Sean McVay offensive system) with Atlanta's personnel, specifically a quarterback whose arm strength means the passing game can access every area of the field. Advertisement 'Obviously, you are watching yourselves, 'How can we get better? What's the way we can evolve?'' Robinson said. 'If you're not evolving in the NFL, you're going to get stuck behind.' How did this Falcons team, without making the playoffs in God knows how many years, get as many stand-alone TV windows as they did? Is there actually a national demand to see this team? — Matt L. You're not the first person to wonder this, and I think the answer is points. There's an expectation that Atlanta is going to score a lot of points in Penix's first full season as the starter. The Falcons were sixth in scoring (32 ppg) and fifth in points per drive (2.93) after Penix took over the starting job in Week 16 last season. There's also an expectation they are going to give up a lot of points. They finished the season 23rd in points allowed (24.9). The only thing TV likes more than 34-30 games is Aaron Rodgers speculation, and there could be lots of 34-30 games in the Falcons' future this season. (Photo of Kentavius Street, left, and Ruke Orhorhoro: Ian Maule / Getty Images)
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Every Georgia Bulldog selected in the 2025 NFL draft
Georgia Bulldogs went early and often in the 2025 NFL draft. Georgia finished the draft with 13 players selected, which is the second-most of any college football program behind Ohio State (14 players drafted) and just two players off Georgia's 2022 NFL draft record of 15 players drafted. UGA had three players selected in the first-round of the draft. Georgia has now had 20 first-round during the Kirby Smart era, which means that he has more first-round picks than losses (19) during his nine season career at Georgia. The Bulldogs continued their lengthy first-round pick streak, which dates back to 2018. Advertisement The 2025 draft is the third time in four years that 10 or more Georgia players were selected in one year. Georgia has now had 46 players selected over he past four NFL drafts, which is the most of any school. At least one Georgia player was drafted in each of the seven rounds of the draft. What Georgia Bulldogs were selected in the 2025 NFL draft? Defensive end Mykel Williams The San Francisco 49ers drafted Mykel Williams with the No. 11 pick in the draft after attempting to trade up for him. Williams recorded at least 4 1/2 sacks during all three seasons at Georgia, but was hampered by an ankle injury in 2024. His ability to stop the run and set the edge impressed the 49ers. Linebacker Jalon Walker Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia | Pick 01.15 The Atlanta Falcons drafted Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker with the No. 15 pick of the 2025 NFL draft to the surprise of many Georgia fans. Walker is versatile and is an excellent pass rusher. Walker racked up 13 1/2 sacks in his three season Georgia career. Safety Malaki Starks Malaki Starks, S, Georgia | Pick 01.27 The Baltimore Ravens drafted Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks with the No. 27 pick in the first-round of the draft. With his length and athleticism, Starks is a versatile safety capable of covering sideline to sideline. Offensive guard Tate Ratledge Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia | Pick 02.57 The Detroit Lions, who finished with the NFC's best record in 2024, picked Georgia offensive guard Tate Ratledge in the second round of the draft with the No. 57 pick. Ratledge is one of three Georgia Bulldogs that the Lions drafted. Offensive guard Dylan Fairchild Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia | Pick 03.81 The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Georgia offensive guard Dylan Fairchild with the No. 81 pick in the draft. Fairchild is an excellent pass blocker and reunites with his former Georgia teammate Amarius Mims in Cincinnati. Center Jared Wilson Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia | Pick 03.95 The New England Patriots drafted one of the best centers in the draft in Georgia's Jared Wilson. New England drafted Wilson with the No. 95 pick in the third-round of the draft. Wilson is an excellent athlete. Wide receiver Arian Smith Arian Smith, WR, Georgia | Pick 04.110 The New York Jets drafted Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith with the No. 110 pick in the fourth-round of the draft. Smith brings speed to the Jets' receiving core. He ran one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the combine. Running back Trevor Etienne Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia | Pick 04.114 The Carolina Panthers picked Georgia running back Trevor Etienne in the fourth-round of the draft with the No. 114 pick. Etienne is capable of contributing immediately as a rookie both as a runner and a pass catcher. Etienne is the brother of Jacksonville Jaguars' running back Travis Etienne. Defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Georgia | Pick 05.139 The Minnesota Vikings solidified their defensive interior with Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. The Vikings drafted Ingram-Dawkins, who is a versatile defensive end that can play defensive tackle in pass rushing situations, with the No. 139 pick in the fifth-round of the 2025 NFL draft. Linebacker Smael Mondon Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia | Pick 05.161 The Philadelphia Eagles won't stop drafting Georgia Bulldogs. Philadelphia drafted Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon in the fifth-round of the draft with the No. 161 pick. Defensive tackle Warren Brinson Warren Brinson, DL, Georgia | Pick 06.198 The Green Bay Packers added yet another Georgia Bulldog to their roster as well. The Packers, who hosted the draft, picked Georgia defensive tackle Warren Brinson with the No. 198 selection in the sixth-round of the draft. Safety Dan Jackson Dan Jackson, S, Georgia | Pick 07.230 No NFL team drafted more Georgia Bulldogs than the Detroit Lions (three) in the 2025 NFL draft. Detroit added former walk-on safety Dan Jackson with the No. 230 pick in the seventh-round of the draft. Wide receiver Dominic Lovett Dominic Lovett, WR, Georgia | Pick 07.244 The Lions drafted Georgia receiver Dominic Lovett with the No. 244 pick in the seventh-round of the draft. Lovett brings route-running to Detroit and will look to make the Lions' roster. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: All 13 Georgia Bulldogs picked in the 2025 NFL draft
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Can Jalon Walker be the Falcons' Micah Parsons? He's going to try
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Raheem Morris is understandably hesitant to hear any comparisons between Atlanta Falcons rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker and Dallas Cowboys two-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons. 'To compare him to that type of greatness, put that type of pressure on this young man would be unfair,' the head coach said. Advertisement Walker, though, is 'not at all' worried about carrying that burden. 'You know, my standards are high for myself,' he said. Comparisons between Walker and Parsons were inevitable in the lead-up to the draft, in which the Falcons selected Walker with the 15th pick. Both primarily played linebacker positions in college before being asked to transition primarily to an edge rushing position in the NFL; both won college football's Butkus Award; both have the athletic versatility to line up in several spots in the front seven of a defense; both were one-year college starters; both wear jersey No. 11. 'I think you've got to let Jalon come out and be the best version of himself, which I know he will because of who he is and the makeup he has,' Morris said. 'He'll have some Micah Parsons-like features, and I'll let him determine what he can be when he gets to this league.' Walker and Parsons are both represented by David Mulugheta and have sponsorship deals with Adidas, and Parsons helped coach Walker through his pre-draft preparation. 'I'm great friends with Micah, and he's a big mentor to me,' Walker said. 'He's like an older brother to me in the way he pushes me to be better, he pushes me to have a high standard for myself. Me being able to be versatile is what I do, and what he does as well. I learned well from his style of play.' "I think he's this year's draft version of Micah Parsons." 👀 @ESPNBooger and @nfldraftscout praise Georgia's Jalon Walker 💪 — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 20, 2025 The players share a similar physical profile, although Parsons is two inches taller at 6 foot 3 than Walker at 6-1. Both generally play within a pound or two of 245 pounds, and Walker has slightly longer arms (32 inches compared with 31.5 inches). Their play style is similar, too. In his annual comprehensive draft guide 'The Beast,' The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote that Parsons has 'outstanding change of direction and pursuit skills,' while Walker 'is a tremendous space athlete and covers a ton of ground with his fluid change of direction.' He called Parsons a 'dynamic downhill player with his timing and burst.' Meanwhile, Walker 'is at his best using his long, sleek athleticism to explode downhill and close at the top of his rush.' Brugler called each player 'one of the best talents in this draft.' 'Me and Micah are two separate people. Micah is Micah, and I am Jalon Walker myself, but I do emulate him in some ways of just versatility and game,' Walker said. The Falcons will be thrilled if they get from Walker something close to Parsons' production in Dallas. Parsons has accumulated 52 1/2 sacks and 112 quarterback hits in four seasons for the Cowboys. His least productive season had 12 sacks. Advertisement The Falcons plan to use Walker exclusively as an edge rusher at the beginning of his career. How long that specialization will last is in question, though. 'Georgia taught him from the inside linebacker room, but he was playing all over the field,' Falcons inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud said. 'We're going to kind of do the opposite. We're going to start him outside, and if he needs to move around, we can do that.' Atlanta's new defensive line coach, Nate Ollie, has said he can already envision lining up Walker over guards on the interior in pass-rush situations, and Walker has expressed excitement about focusing on the edge while also nodding toward his desire to keep some of his versatility. 'I'm excited to embrace that role of being just on the edge,' he said last week during rookie minicamp. 'Of course, there could be room to expand roles, so I'm excited.' Walker had 12 1/2 sacks in three seasons at Georgia. (Parsons had 6 1/2 sacks in two seasons in college before sitting out the 2020 COVID-19 season and then declaring for the draft.) 'If you tell me to go get the quarterback, I'm going to go get him,' Walker said. 'It doesn't matter if I'm at the end of the line, doesn't matter if I'm in the slot, doesn't matter if I'm off the ball. My job is simple. If you tell me to go get them. I feel like what everybody knows is what I do best.' Atlanta has had only one player record double-digit sacks (Vic Beasley 15 1/2 in 2016) since 2012. The Falcons believe Walker can be next. 'The kid's makeup, obviously, is unique with all the things he can do, all the places he can rush from,' Morris said. 'He's an off-the-ball backer. He's an on-the-ball backer. He can do so many different things. He can set edges. I mean, there's not a whole lot that he can't do.' Maybe he can even be (like) Micah Parsons. (Photos: Tim Warner / Getty Images; Geoff Burke / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Will The Atlanta Falcons Get In Jalon Walker?
What will the Falcons get with the team's 15th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft in Jalon Walker? Walker is not the biggest edge rusher in the draft by any means at 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds. But, he is considered a hybrid player who can play ball. Walker received many accolades while playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, including winning the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker). Advertisement He would also win the Third-Team Associated Press All-American and Second-Team All-SEC honors. Walker played in all 14 games during 2024 and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. He also contributed to punt coverage during the season. Newly drafted Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Walker has split his snap count between edge rusher and linebacker, which the Falcons will intend to use him similarly. Walker is a menace when around the ball and a sure tackler. What he lacks in size is made up for by his athleticism. Below is a list of strengths and weaknesses as highlighted by Strengths Hybrid talent who takes snaps as an off-ball linebacker and on the edge. Drifts downhill to meet blocks and constrict the run lane. Good length to stack blocks or punch and pass on the move. Twitched up with an elite closing burst to the football. Rush attack is highly athletic and very natural. Varies step cadence and entry angles, creating passivity from tackles. Slide-and-slap move inside creates sudden pocket heat. Strong hips drive through redirection blocks as a blitzer. Weaknesses Below-average size as a full-time edge defender. Improved off the ball but still developing his instincts. Needs to prevent his play-side shoulder from being covered. Average bend limits his sink and flatten potential at the top. Gets mauled by size when his rush crowds too close to tackle. Related: Falcons Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich Is Not Looking To Gimmick On Defense Related: Atlanta Falcons Trade Back Into The First Round To Select Another Dynamic Edge Rusher
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons First-Round Draft Pick Walker Wearing Historic Franchise Jersey Number For Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons have recently released jersey numbers that the team's rookies will wear for the upcoming season. The Falcons released the jersey numbers for their five 2025 draft selections on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday afternoon. James Pearce Jr. will don number 27. The two safeties the Falcons added in the middle rounds of the draft, Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr., will don numbers 31 and 33, respectively. Advertisement Seventh-round draft pick Jack Nelson will wear number 69. For the Falcons UDFA's, the team has released the numbers that they will wear on the team's website. The most popular jersey number being tossed around the rumor mill is the one that Jalon Walker has chosen to wear. He will don the number 11 jersey. Georgia's Jalon Walker's name was displayed when selected by the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Draft. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Given that Julio Jones once wore that number for Atlanta and will go down as a franchise great, it has caused some concern around the league. It is speculated that one day that particular number will be retired and will be unavailable for Walker to have. No one knows exactly when that day will come, but rest assured, it will. It isn't the first time since Jones left Atlanta that the jersey number has been worn. During the 2023 season, quarterback Logan Woodside wore number 11 for the Falcons. Then last season, quarterback Emory Jones had it. The only difference is that those two players only appeared with it once in a game. Walker will be an every-down player on defense as long as he remains healthy. Advertisement For now, Walker can wear that number with pride, but he may be forced to part with it soon when it hangs in the rafters. Related: Atlanta Falcons Rumored To Be Included In NFL's International Series Related: Atlanta Falcons 53-Man Roster Projection For 2025
