The Falcons have taken plenty of heat for their defensive tackle room this offseason, but the criticism may be running hotter than the reality.
Atlanta enters 2026 with real questions on defense, and the interior line has drawn the loudest complaints. That makes sense on the surface.
The Falcons were already one of the NFL’s worst run defenses in 2025, and now they’ve moved on from two of their most-used defensive tackles. David Onyemata left for the Jets in free agency, and Ruke Orhorhoro was traded to Jacksonville.
Those were the two defensive players who led all Falcons defensive tackles in snaps last season, so the middle of the line is clearly going to look different.
Still, the idea that this group is among the league’s weakest has gotten ahead of itself. Earlier this offseason, SB Nation labeled the Falcons’ defensive tackle room one of the NFL’s weakest position groups and the worst individual interior defensive line unit. CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards added to that line of thinking while discussing NFC teams’ biggest needs entering training camp, saying the Falcons could still use another defensive tackle signing before camp begins next week.
That view doesn’t really line up with how Atlanta has built the room. Brandon Dorlus broke out last season and should keep trending up, while a healthy Zach Harrison should also be part of the solution.
The Falcons wanted more youth and athleticism inside, which is a big reason they were comfortable letting Onyemata walk. The 33-year-old was still productive, but he was also taking snaps that could have gone to younger players.
The Orhorhoro move made just as much sense from a fit standpoint. Atlanta eventually decided he was a poor scheme match and stopped trying to force him into a nose tackle role. In his place, the 6-foot-5, 306-pound Maason Smith gives them a bigger body and a better fit at nose tackle, with the ability to slide in at 1-tech if needed.
The Falcons also brought in Da’Shawn Hand in free agency to handle Onyemata’s veteran nose tackle duties. That leaves Atlanta’s defensive tackle rotation looking more like Harrison and Dorlus up front, with Smith, Hand, Chris Williams and La’Cale London in rotational roles. Anterio Thompson could work his way into the mix eventually, too.
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