The Falcons are charging through the 2024 season, dominating the NFC South despite a hiccup in Week 10 against the Saints. They still hold a comfortable two-game lead over the Buccaneers and look poised to break their playoff drought, with Mercedes-Benz Stadium finally set to host a Falcons postseason game. Raheem Morris and Kirk Cousins have injected new life into the franchise, and for the first time in years, there’s real optimism around Atlanta football.
But there’s a huge fly in the ointment: the pass rush. For all the progress the Falcons have made, their inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks is an Achilles’ heel that could eventually cost them. Four games without a sack, the fewest sacks in the entire league, and an embarrassing reality where several individual players have more sacks than the Falcons’ entire defense combined—this is a problem that can’t be ignored. It’s been a focus for multiple offseasons, but now, with the quarterback situation locked down for the future, there’s no excuse left for the front office not to make a bold move.
The issue? The 2025 free-agent class for pass rushers is depressingly thin. Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN recently unveiled the top 25 free agents for next year, and let’s just say—Atlanta might not find the impact player they’re hoping for in this crop. Here’s the list of the biggest names on the market:
1. Tee Higgins, WR
2. Trey Smith, G
3. Jevon Holland, S
4. D.J. Reed, CB
5. Charvarius Ward, CB
6. Amari Cooper, WR
7. Ronnie Stanley, OT
8. Sam Darnold, QB
9. Haason Reddick, Edge
10. Chris Godwin, WR
11. Tyron Smith, OT
12. Zack Martin, G
13. Rasul Douglas, CB
14. Asante Samuel Jr., CB
15. DeMarcus Lawrence, Edge
16. Camryn Bynum, S
17. Khalil Mack, Edge
18. Justin Fields, QB
19. Nick Bolton, LB
20. Dre Greenlaw, LB
21. Garett Bolles, OT
22. Budda Baker, S
23. Diontae Johnson, WR
24. Talanoa Hufanga, S
25. Cam Robinson, OT
Haason Reddick is the one legitimate pass-rushing game-changer, but he’s the crown jewel in a sparse group. Every team with a need for an edge rusher will be battling it out for his services, and frankly, Atlanta isn’t looking to get into a bidding war for him.
Then there’s DeMarcus Lawrence and Khalil Mack. Both are well into their 30s, which means their best days are behind them, but Mack could still offer a solid veteran presence in a limited role. Lawrence, however, might be best left in the past—he’s no longer a player the Falcons should waste their time on.
So, what does this mean for Atlanta? A splashy free-agent signing for a pass rusher seems unlikely—there’s just no one worth breaking the bank for. More realistically, the Falcons will probably target a pass rusher in the first round of the draft and hope for some internal development from their current roster. The trade market could offer a few possibilities, but it’s nothing to get excited about.
The reality is this: the pass rush won’t be “fixed” in 2025. It’s going to take time, effort, and likely multiple seasons before the Falcons have a pass rush that can truly compete with the league’s best. Fans hoping for a quick fix via free agency are likely to be disappointed. This one’s going to be a slow burn.
Leave a Reply