Once is a chance, twice is a coincidence, and the third time is a pattern. Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot seems to have made a pattern of drafting Georgia alumni on day three of the NFL Draft. Defensive tackle Zion Logue is the third Bulldog that Fontenot has selected in the sixth round, the first two being Justin Shaffer and John FitzPatrick in 2022. Neither Shaffer nor FitzPatrick have made an impact in the league. Will Zion Logue be any different?
Where Will He Play?
Standing at 6'5" and weighing 314 lbs, most would assume Zion Logue spent most of his time at nose tackle for the Bulldogs. Surprisingly, that's not the case. He spent most of his time playing as a 3-technique, aligned on the outside shoulder of opposing guards. Logue logged more snaps playing over tackles than he did lined up in the A-Gap during his final collegiate season, rare usage for a player his size.
Expect that to change during his time with the Falcons. While past nose tackles for Raheem Morris haven't been known for their size, the team needs a physical presence like Zion in the middle of Jimmy Lake's odd front. Eddie Goldman is the only defender who offers the prototypical size of a nose tackle, and with his string of recent retirements and unretirement, the team can't fully count on him making the opening-day roster. Expect Logue to spend the majority of his career playing over the center.
Jalon Walker blows through Missouri left tackle Javon Foster's outside shoulder. QB Brady Cook feels the pressure, tucks the ball, misses the open space to his left, and climbs right into big Zion Logue who worked his way past a double team. #NFLDraft2025 #2025NFLDraft https://t.co/l0eEsHqF9v pic.twitter.com/CQXN4yQFRW
— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) May 4, 2024
What Is He Good At?
Zion's calling card is the ability to hold his ground in the run game. He does well with his hands and makes the most of his large frame and over 80" wingspan to occupy opposing blockers and eat up space. When striking first, he can push smaller offensive linemen into the backfield and disrupt the timing of a play. He's at his best using strength and length while moving in a straight line. These traits are why he projects as an effective two-gapper in Atlanta.
Zion Logue occupying two Blockers on the 4th down stop
— 704 Dawg (@FSFRecruits) December 3, 2022
pic.twitter.com/gQrXwYuiVa
What Does He Need To Improve?
While Zion offers plenty of size, the lack of overall athleticism shows up too often. He's slow to get off the line and doesn't show the explosiveness needed to penetrate the backfield. These poor movement skills put a low ceiling on his potential as a pass rusher. Georgia would sub him out in obvious passing situations. As far as pass rush moves go, Zion didn't display much. He was often used as a looper during stunts to free up his teammates. Improving technique and adding to his toolkit could help him offer a bit more in this area. Still, Zion will likely be a non-factor as a pass rusher in the NFL. Logue is solid in run defense, but can still clean up in that area. His leverage can be poor at times, and he struggles to disengage from blocks to make a tackle.
Why He Fits
Zion Logue was drafted for one reason and one reason only, to provide depth shoring up the run defense. He'll never stuff the stat sheet or put up impressive numbers, but as a gap eater for a team that lacks one, Zion has a chance to carve a role out for himself early. If he fails to impress when the pads come on during training camp, he'll follow the footsteps of the last two late-round Georgia players the Falcons have drafted, and start his career developing on the practice squad.
