After Atlanta went all in with the team's aggressive offseason to fill holes on defense, they still have an area of concern that will eventually need to be addressed.
According to Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, the Atlanta Falcons must address the linebacker core during the 2026 NFL Draft. The team will be without a first-round pick during next year's draft, but thankfully, it is deep with linebackers who will be entering their name into the hat for a shot at being drafted.
Atlanta gave up their 2026 first-round pick when trading back into the 2025 draft to select edge rusher James Pearce. Jr. Jalon Walker is mostly an edge rusher, but can drop back as a linebacker if needed. Kaden Ellis was the Falcons highest-graded off-ball linebacker (71.5) in 2024, but he is entering the final year of his deal.
Falcons LB Kaden Elliss reacts to a loss against the Carolina Panthers.
Over the past two seasons, Elliss has established himself as a top linebacker and a tackling machine, always around the football. By doing so, it will be a top priority for Atlanta to try to bring back Elliss next season by re-signing him to a multi-year deal.
Arnold Ebiketie, Troy Andersen, and J.D. Bertrand are still finding their identity with the team. Atlanta brought in Divine Deablo, an athletic freak, but outside of that, the Falcons must add depth to their linebacker core. Pearce Jr. is listed as a linebacker on the early depth chart, but Atlanta will want both he and Jalon Walker on the field simultaneously to see how they disrupt opposing quarterbacks off the edge.
Atlanta isn't without athletes at the linebacker position, but in time, it could become a position that needs to be addressed with depth during the next offseason, especially when it comes to the draft.
