Entering the 2025 offseason, one of the primary needs for the Atlanta Falcons was strengthening the pass rush. Ranked as one of the worst pass-rushing teams last season, with no players with more than six sacks for the season, the Falcons signed veteran defender Leonard Floyd to a one-year, $10 million contract.
Despite the addition of the 32-year-old who had 19 sacks over the last two seasons and finished 2024 with 16 QB hits and eight tackles for loss, the Falcons will presumably continue to add to their pass-rush rotation. Fortunately for the front office, Floyd has no problem with this.
Leonard Floyd says he wouldn't be bothered if the Falcons continue to add to their pass rush, even in the first round of the draft. "Pass rush is like having a basketball team, it's a rotation."
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) March 25, 2025
According to Falcons insider Will McFadden, the former 49ers defender said he wouldn't be bothered if Atlanta selected a pass rusher even in the first round of the draft. Floyd added that the pass rush is a rotation like a basketball team.
Floyd is absolutely right that you simply can't have too many pass rushers in the NFL. Most teams use four pass rushers in their rotation, and considering the pass rush talent and depth the Falcons lost this offseason, adding an elite prospect through the draft makes a ton of sense.
Matthew Judon remains unsigned and will likely head elsewhere in free agency. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who made a lot of plays on the defensive line, was released. Lorenzo Carter signed with the Titans and James Smith-Williams' contract expired.
As great of an addition Floyd is, it will be hard for him to make up for all that talent that has gone out the door. The Falcons have the 15th overall pick in the draft. One of James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee, Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M, or Mykel Williams out of Georgia should be available for the Falcons if they want to go that route.