Falcons Pre-Draft Depth Chart: A.J. Terrell, Grady Jarrett Highlight New-Look Defense

With first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen joined by free agent signees Jessie Bates III, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss and more, the Atlanta Falcons have infused life into the defense - but how does the depth chart stack up entering the 2023 NFL Draft?

The Atlanta Falcons are set for the 2023 NFL Draft, the third of coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot's tenure.

An eventful offseason marked by dishing out several big contracts has the Falcons eyeing a postseason berth - with new signee Calais Campbell going as far as saying 13 wins is a possibility.

In addition to Campbell, the Falcons signed former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III, a pair of New Orleans Saints in defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss, Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Bud Dupree and traded for Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah.

But how will all of the new pieces fit together and what will Atlanta's defensive depth chart look like?

Here's how things stand on the offensive side of the ball in the lead-up to the draft. Of note, this includes every defensive player currently under contract as camp battles have yet to begin ...

Defensive End/EDGE

Starters: Calais Campbell, Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie

Reserves: Bud Dupree, Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DeAngelo Malone, David Anenih

Atlanta's defensive line rotation will be fascinating to watch and is difficult to project, as new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has said he'll go with a multiple look up front.

Here, the big-bodied Campbell is paired with Carter and Ebiketie, though it's entirely possible only one gets the starting nod on a certain day depending on which front the Falcons begin with.

Nonetheless, the Falcons have no shortage of bodies up front, which means there's plenty to figure out during summer programs.

Defensive Tackle

Starters: Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata

Reserves: Ta'Quon Graham, Eddie Goldman, Timmy Horne, Jalen Dalton, Joe Gaziano

Much like on the edge, the interior of the Falcons' defensive line will be dependent on look - will it be more 4-3 or 3-4? Should it be 3-4, Graham or Goldman could absolutely find their way into the lineup.

Regardless, Jarrett and Onyemata are poised to start and should bring plenty of pressure on passing downs.

Off-Ball Linebacker

Starters: Troy Andersen, Kaden Elliss

Reserves: Mykal Walker, Tae Davis, Nate Landman, Dorian Etheridge

The Falcons have an identity in the middle of their defense - big, physical athletes who can really run and hit. Andersen and Elliss, the former from Montana State and latter from Idaho, give Nielsen plenty of options to get creative with blitz and coverage packages.

Atlanta's leading tackler from last year, Rashaan Evans, remains on the free agent market, and depth is an issue for the Falcons' linebackers room; there could be a post-draft reunion in store should the team not address it this weekend.

Cornerback

Starters: A.J. Terrell, Jeff Okudah

Reserves: Mike Hughes*, Dee Alford, Darren Hall, Cornell Armstrong, Jamal Peters, Matt Hankins, John Reid, Javelin Guidry, Dylan Mabin

*Hughes is currently slated to be the starting nickel corner.

After releasing Casey Hayward, the Falcons have 2020 first-round picks Terrell and Okudah atop their cornerbacks room with Alford and Hall the primary backups inside and outside, respectively.

This is another position Atlanta is expected to target in the draft, perhaps as early as the first round.

Safety

Starters: Jessie Bates III, Richie Grant

Reserves: Jaylinn Hawkins, Micah Abernathy

With Bates replacing Hawkins in the starting lineup, the Falcons now have a true single-high free safety, which allows Grant to play more in the box and cover the slot, where he's at his best.

Atlanta has done plenty of work on the safety class and is in the market for a "big nickel," both of which can be solved in the same selection.

Special Teams

Kicker: Younghoe Koo

Punter: Bradley Pinion

Long Snapper: Liam McCullough

The Falcons gave Pinion and McCullough new contracts this offseason after making Koo one of the highest paid kickers in the league last year, keeping the same faces in the same places after a successful 2022 season.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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