The Falcons exited the 2022 season with a defensive line in shambles, and a defensive front that was not among the league’s best. Injuries and surprise retirements led to the team playing without Vincent Taylor, Eddie Goldman, Ta’Quon Graham, and others, and by the end it was summer and in-season pickups and Grady Jarrett getting the job done.
The need for improvement was clear, especially with the Falcons talking about upgrading weaknesses and trying to spread the wealth when it came to their cap space. The Falcons still need to add more pass rushing help in the draft and in the tail end of free agency, but the difference between the line they’re set to trot out in Week 1 versus the one they sent out there in Week 17 is staggering.