There were plenty of factors that contributed to the Atlanta Falcons missing the playoffs last season, but the biggest was their defense. Atlanta struggled to stop opposing offenses, ranking 10th with 24.9 points allowed per game and ranking 31st with 31 sacks. The deficiencies led to Atlanta pursuing many new faces this season including first-round edge rushers Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.
While Walker and Pearce are the main attractions after their draft day headlines, there are even more players that will call Atlanta home for the first time this year. That includes one signing that has gone under the radar and is already taking coaches by surprise during this week’s minicamp.
New Falcons LB Divine Deablo Putting Himself on the Map During Minicamp
Falcons linebacker Divine Deablo was one addition the team made during the offseason and has already grabbed the attention of head coach Raheem Morris. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Morris shouted out Deablo’s “unique” length and athleticism and declared him a prototype for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s defense at inside linebacker.
“His athleticism stands out. It’s been unique,” Morris said via Falcons team writer Will McFadden on Wednesday. “His length stands out which has been unique. And really him keying and diagnosing behind the ball probably a lot better than we thought, and I’m really fired up to see that.
Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss also noted Deablo’s athleticism, which stems from his time playing safety at Virginia Tech.
“I mean, you can see what makes him sick,” Elliss said. “I think he had probably the best play today in practice – really good tip. Just came in and knocked the ball out and I broke it up for us. And he’s got the length, he’s got the speed, he’s got the athleticism and he’s got the mentality.”
Deablo broke in as a third round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 NFL Draft and totaled 288 tackles with 10 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, six pass breakups and a pair of fumble recoveries over 54 games (42 starts). The Falcons scooped him up on a two-year, $14 million deal in free agency and could give him the green dot designation at the beginning of next season.
Regardless, the Falcons will need more players like Deablo to step up if they want their defense to improve next season.