The NFL offseason is going to pick up a lot of steam over the next couple of weeks. The NFL Scouting Combine begins in Indianapolis on Monday with NFL free agency opening up in March.
The Atlanta Falcons need to make some additions to the roster to help take them over the top. They have a couple of players hitting the open market and one landing spot makes more sense after the latest hiring.
Former Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, who was hired after just one season, is heading back to the Los Angeles Rams staff. He will be a senior defensive assistant and it makes them the ideal landing spot for EDGE Matthew Judon.
The Rams have added Scott Huff (tight ends), Drew Wilkins (pass rush coordinator), Alex Van Pelt (sr. offensive assistant), Ben Kotwica (asst. special teams), Dan Shamash (game management) and re-added Jimmy Lake (sr. defensive assistant) to their coaching staff, team announced.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) February 24, 2025
Falcons Free Agent Matthew Judon a Prime Candidate to Sign With Rams This Spring
Although things didn't go as planned during the 2024 season with the Falcons, there's a pathway for these guys to cross paths again.
The Rams have a young collection of pass-rushers that include Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, and Bryon Young, but as the Philadelphia Eagles just showcased, teams can never have enough difference-makers up front.
Bringing in Judon would be an intriguing option for them, especially since he could help mentor these guys and show them how to maintain their success.
Across his nine-year career, Judon has compiled 410 total tackles, 94 TFLs, and 72 sacks. He has two seasons with double-digit sacks and knows what it takes to get there. In addition to having Lake on the coaching staff, there is another coach that Judon crossed paths with.
The Rams hired Drew Wilkins as their pass-rush coordinator. Wilkins began his coaching career with the Baltimore Ravens. Judon was a fifth-round pick by Baltimore in the 2016 NFL Draft and had Wilkins as his Defensive Assistant, Assistant Defensive Line Coach, and Outside Linebackers coach.
Multiple connections make the Rams an ideal landing spot for Judon. Throw in the fact that Los Angeles is expected to be a playoff team in 2025 and it makes things that much more convincing.