49ers Free Agent Samson Ebukam: Future Falcons LB to Sign?

The Atlanta Falcons will keep a close eye on the pass rusher market this offseason. Should they sign San Francisco 49ers linebacker Samson Ebukam?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 19, 2023

The Atlanta Falcons need to sign a pass rusher in free agency this offseason.

The team mildly improved from their league-worst 18 sacks in 2021 to a modest 21 this season, moving from 32nd to 31st in the league rankings. The team also struggled to pressure the quarterback with 229, dead last in the league with the next-closest team more than 50 away.

That's why the Falcons should pay close attention to San Francisco 49ers linebacker Samson Ebukam this weekend as he plays in the Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys. Pro Football Focus names him as the one player the Falcons should sign as a defensive free agent this offseason.

"Ebukam is coming off back-to-back seasons with 45 quarterback pressures, and he’s not just a pure pass-rusher, totaling 51 defensive stops over the last two seasons," Pro Football Focus said. "With Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees retiring after this season, there could be changes coming to the structure of the Falcons defense, but Ebukam has shown flexibility as a bit of a tweener with his 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame between his days spent as a stand-up outside linebacker with the Los Angeles Rams and a defensive end in San Francisco."

In 15 games this season, Ebukam recorded a career-high five sacks to go with 36 tackles. He may not be the biggest name on the market, and even though the Falcons have money to spend, he's someone that can spurn true value while not breaking the bank.

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Published Jan 19, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.