With less than a week until the NFL Draft, there are plenty of Atlanta Falcons players pondering their fate. The Falcons’ offseason has been more about who has been leaving town than coming in. Many are wondering if Atlanta will somehow pull off a deal to rid themselves of the Kirk Cousins mistake and other players may get a little nervous if their phone starts ringing next weekend.
But while a massive trade could shake things up for a team with four draft picks coming into Thursday night, a pick could send a veteran wondering about his future. One Falcon defender could specifically find his job in jeopardy as Atlanta searches for an upgrade.
Falcons DT David Onyemata’s Job Is In Danger Entering NFL Draft
Onyemata has long been on the chopping block as he enters next season with a $9.3 million cap hit. The Falcons already got rid of one mainstay along the defensive line when they saved $16 million by releasing Jarrett. But if they decide to replace Onyemata, it will be because of his performance.
The 32-year-old ranked 38th out of 118 qualifying interior defenders last season, according to Pro Football Focus. But his play was a severe drop-off from the 2023 campaign, where he posted a 66.2 overall grade. He also didn't make much of an impact for a player who played in all 17 games (16 starts), making 45 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and three sacks.
The Falcons can’t get rid of everyone on defense, but this is a poor time for Onyemata to show signs of decline. If Atlanta likes Michigan’s Mason Graham (if he's there) or Mississippi’s Walter Nolen with the 15th overall pick, they could select him to pair with second-year defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro. In the likely event they trade down, Onyemata isn’t out of the woods with seven interior defenders listed in the top 50 of Pro Football Focus’s big board.
Maybe that means bringing Graham’s teammate Kenneth Grant or Oregon’s Derrick Harmon aboard. No matter who it is, they could push for Onyemata’s starting role heading into next season or be his replacement when his contract expires after this season.
For a defense that is looking to improve in the second season under Raheem Morris, Onyemata’s days could be numbered when the Falcons are on the clock in Thursday’s draft.