Perhaps the weakest position group on the roster heading into the offseason, the Atlanta Falcons knew they had significant work to do at EDGE to improve the NFL’s worst pass rush. With just 18 sacks in 2021, Atlanta’s defense simply lacked the ability to affect the QB—even with Dean Pees sending a copious amount of blitzes.
The team said goodbye to sack leader Dante Fowler Jr.—who amassed just 4.5 sacks—and let other primary contributors like Steven Means and Jonathan Bullard walk in free agency. In their place, Atlanta signed veteran Lorenzo Carter—who put up 5.0 sacks in 14 games in 2021—and added a pair of high-upside edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft: Arnold Ebiketie (2nd round) and DeAngelo Malone (3rd round).