The Atlanta Falcons are staring down a tough offseason, and it starts with some hard decisions on the defensive line. With cap space tight and a roster in transition, the Falcons are likely to part ways with veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata - a move that’s as much about the future as it is about finances.
Onyemata has been a steady force in the middle of Jeff Ulbrich’s defense, offering veteran leadership and stout interior play. But age and salary are working against him, and Atlanta has invested in a trio of young linemen - Brandon Dorlus, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Zach Harrison - who are expected to form the foundation of the defensive front moving forward. Still, letting Onyemata walk creates a sizable hole, especially for a unit that struggled mightily against the run in 2025.
The Falcons ranked near the bottom of the league in run defense last season, and without a true nose tackle to anchor the interior, opponents had little trouble finding daylight up the middle. That’s where the draft comes into play - and where things get interesting.
Without a first-round pick this year, Atlanta won’t be on the clock until No. 48 overall. But that doesn’t mean they can’t find impact talent. In a recent three-round mock draft, the Falcons were projected to use that second-rounder on Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter - a name that’s been rising fast since his dominant showing at the Senior Bowl.
Hunter’s stock has been on a steady climb since Mobile, where the 6-foot-4, 330-pound lineman turned heads with his blend of size, strength, and surprising athleticism. He’s built like a classic nose tackle but moves with the kind of agility that makes scouts take a second look. And while his bread and butter is clogging run lanes, Hunter also brings a bit of pass-rush juice - a trait that could make him a perfect complement to Dorlus and Harrison, who are more known for getting after the quarterback.
If Onyemata does end up leaving - and especially if he follows former Falcons defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to San Francisco - Atlanta’s need for a true run-stuffer becomes even more urgent. And in this class, there may not be a better one than Hunter. He’s arguably the top run-defending interior lineman on the board, and that includes several players projected to go ahead of him in April.
He may not carry the same buzz as his Texas Tech teammate David Bailey or other high-profile prospects like Peter Woods and Caleb Banks, but Hunter’s tape - and his Senior Bowl performance - speak volumes. If he tests well at the combine, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the back end of the first round. But if he’s still there at 48, the Falcons could have a steal on their hands.
With the draft order now officially locked in, the mock draft circuit is heating up - and for a team like Atlanta, every pick matters. The Falcons are in a pivotal moment, trying to reshape their identity on defense while navigating a tight salary cap. Lee Hunter might not be the flashiest name in the draft, but he could be exactly what this defense needs: a tone-setter in the trenches who helps turn one of the league’s worst run defenses into a strength.