The Atlanta Falcons face an interesting crossroads this offseason with a talented roster buoyed by young skill-position players that's lacking in several key areas.
Michael Penix is the quarterback of the future after the disastrous Kirk Cousins signing that seems to get worse by the day. There's hope for the offense either way, but the aging defense needs major improvements after ranking 19th in opponent yards per play (5.5).
A few players underperformed based on their salaries, while others' performances took a step back. One of those guys is defensive end Lorenzo Carter, who started 11 games with disastrous results. He's a pending free agent and provided the Falcons let him walk, he'll represent a significant addition by subtraction in 2025.
Evan Neal pancakes Lorenzo Carter to the play side of this 1st quarter 5-yard rush. pic.twitter.com/FNX6JoC9Rh
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) December 23, 2024
Falcons Must Not Re-Sign DE Lorenzo Carter After Failed Season
Despite playing in 13 games and being in on 48% of the defensive snaps in those contests, Carter only managed 32 tackles and didn't record a single sack for the first time in his career. He mustered a mere three total pressures, ranking 194th out of 211 qualified edge rushers at Pro Football Focus.
Originally a third-round pick by the New York Giants in 2018 out of Georgia, Carter put together a modest first several seasons before joining the Falcons in 2022. After starting 17 games that initial year in Atlanta, Carter was quickly relegated to a rotational role. He has just seven sacks across three years and it's obvious that better production can be had elsewhere.
Carter rarely dropped into coverage but when he did, things went poorly. He was targeted 13 times, giving up 13 catches for 115 yards and a 103.5 passer rating. If you can't rush the passer, can't defend the run, and can't cover, what exactly is the justification for keeping you around?
The Falcons will pick 15th in the 2025 NFL Draft. They have their quarterback and a strong offensive foundation, so why not invest in the defensive front in the early rounds? Atlanta lacks true playmakers on the defensive line and needs to be aggressive this offseason in finding upgrades.
Unfortunately for Carter, that likely means he'll be looking for a new team in the coming months.