Since the 2018 offseason, the Atlanta Falcons have been trying to strengthen their defense. With the upcoming 2025 season, these questions about defense remain. The Falcons want to pair a high-scoring offense with a better defense.
In 2024, Atlanta’s pass defense struggled. They allowed two touchdowns per game, ranking near the bottom of the league. Only the Carolina Panthers were worse, allowing 2.1 touchdowns. In 2023, Atlanta’s defense was much tighter, allowing fewer than 1.5 touchdown passes per game.
The Falcons brought in Pro Bowlers like Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons, yet the defense allowed 10 more touchdown passes and 21 additional passing yards per game in 2024.
CBS Sports recommended that the Falcons focus on improving their pass defense in the offseason. They need to find another cornerback to partner with A.J. Terrell to compete better. Free agency in 2025 will pose challenges, as both Mike Hughes and Dee Alford could become free agents.
Hughes had a decent season but isn’t a top-tier corner. Alford plays as the nickel corner. The Falcons may need to replace both, but the bigger concern remains the pass rush.
In terms of pass rush, the Falcons finished with the second-lowest rating in the league, earning just 31 total sacks, placing them 31st overall. This indicates a significant area for improvement.
The draft may offer some solutions. Players like Mykel Williams from Georgia and Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M could be available when the Falcons select at the 15th pick. This might be an opportunity to boost their pass-rushing potential.
As the 2025 season approaches, changes are essential for the Falcons to enhance their defense and create a more competitive team.
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Atlanta Falcons,pass defense,Mike Hughes,Justin Simmons,Matthew Judon,Carolina Panthers,Dee Alford,Mykel Williams,Shemar Stewart
