It was perplexing when the notification popped up from Bleacher Report's Matt Holder for the five NFL Edge defenders in the best position for a breakout season. The only notifications available on my phone for Bleacher Report were for the Atlanta Falcons.
Interesting.
In the piece were some interesting names: Will McDonald of the New York Jets, Malcolm Koonce of the Las Vegas Raiders, but dead in the center of the article, there he was:
Third-year pass-rusher Arnold Ebiketie for the Falcons.
After a rather pedestrian rookie season where he logged just 2.5 sacks, Arnold Ebiketie had a strong showing in year two with six sacks for the Atlanta Falcons last fall. While Pro Football Focus credited him with the same amount of pressures in both seasons, 28, he was much more efficient in 2023 with about half as many pass rush snaps, 303 to 175.
That means Ebiketie was winning more frequently which should lead to an increase in production now that he'll be stepping into a larger role.
Bud Dupree started 16 games for the Falcons last year and had 433 pass-rush snaps, per PFF, but posted nearly identical numbers to the 2022 second-round pick with 6.5 sacks and 38 pressures. That led to the team letting Dupree walk in free agency and should create a bigger opportunity for the latter this season.
That will likely yield another increase in production for Ebiketie in 2024 in addition to the fact that Atlanta has a couple of good interior pass-rushers to help flush quarterbacks out of the pocket.
Grady Jarrett missed about half of last season but has a strong track record as a defensive tackle who can put pressure on the quarterback with 34 career sacks. Also, David Onyemata can wreak havoc with 27 career sacks, including nine in the last two campaigns, and the front office drafted two solid interior rushers in Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus.
So, don't be surprised if Ebiketie puts together a breakout campaign with a bigger opportunity and a few quality pass-rushers on the inside.
Holder is correct, you shouldn't be surprised by the potential breakout of Ebiketie. From the talks surrounding training camp, it seems that in passing downs, he will be relied upon to bring the pressure from the outside.
In passing situations, it's his show.
How he will be deployed to complement the rotation of interior talent the Falcons are expected to keep on the roster will be a mystery until probably week one against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is clear, however, that his role on this defense will be paramount.
Let's just hope he can live up to the billing because if this Falcons pass rush is to flourish, he will have no choice.
