Harold Perkins Jr. has wasted no time making himself useful in Atlanta.
Three games into his NFL career, the sixth-round linebacker is already drawing attention for the kind of early production that can force a coaching staff to rethink how it uses a young defender. Through the first three weeks, Perkins has earned a 77.0 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranks sixth among qualifying rookies. In coverage, he’s been even better, posting an 80.4 grade that puts him among the stronger rookie linebackers in that category.
The Falcons haven’t thrown the whole playbook at him yet, and that’s part of what makes the start so interesting. According to PFF, Perkins has played 93 defensive snaps across three games, with 75 coming in coverage and 15 as a pass rusher. He has been on the field for just three snaps against the run, a clear sign Atlanta is using him mostly in passing situations for now.
That usage has produced real signs of promise. Perkins has not missed a tackle this season, and he has allowed an 82.8 passer rating when targeted in coverage. His 80.4 coverage grade also ranks eighth among qualified linebackers.
That kind of start is why he’s already climbing the rookie conversation. PFF’s latest rookie rankings placed Perkins sixth overall, ahead of several well-regarded defensive prospects.
There is still plenty of development ahead. His 53.6 run-defense grade shows there’s work to do before Atlanta can trust him in every situation, and the sixth-rounder still has to prove he can hold up when the run game comes his way. But the Falcons have enough here to keep exploring.
Jeff Ulbrich has the flexibility to use Perkins in different ways, and Atlanta could be looking at a young linebacker with a much bigger role waiting down the road. If Ulbrich is willing to play him over fellow rookie Kendal Daniels despite those run-defense questions, he has clearly seen enough to keep pushing forward.
Perkins also brings a pass-rushing résumé that hints at more upside. He recorded at least 5.5 sacks in both his freshman and junior seasons at LSU, giving Atlanta another possible pressure option if his role expands.
At 22, he’s still just getting started, so nobody is trying to put a ceiling on him after three NFL games. But his early work in coverage, along with his ability to contribute in multiple spots, has given the Falcons a reason to keep carving out snaps.
For now, he looks like a promising young defender for Ulbrich to develop. And that process continues with a primetime matchup against his hometown Saints, a game that should only add to the case that Perkins is a diamond in the rough.
In Other News...
Jake Matthews Is Suddenly A Falcons Concern At The Worst Time
Jake Matthews has long been one of the Falcons quiet constants, the kind of veteran left tackle Atlanta could usually trust to steady things no matter what else was happening around him. This season has brought a different picture. According to Pro Football Focus grades and what has shown up on game tape, Matthews has slipped well below the level the Falcons are used to getting, and his performance has become a real issue on both the passing and running fronts.
The timing could hardly be worse, with New Orleans coming up in Week 4 and bringing a pass rush that is built to stress any shaky edge protection. For a Falcons offense trying to settle in, Matthews struggles add another layer of concern, especially because his track record has always been about durability and dependability. Now Atlanta has to wonder whether one of its most trusted veterans can hold up in a matchup that is likely to put him under the microscope from the first snap. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Head To New Orleans With Penix Adding Real Juice To This Rivalry
A Monday night trip to New Orleans always carries some extra edge for Atlanta, and this one arrives with the Falcons coming off their first win under Kevin Stefanski. Michael Penix Jr.s return from the ACL injury has given the offense a noticeably different feel, and his presence adds another layer to a divisional game that already tends to come with plenty of noise and little patience.
The Saints, meanwhile, enter Week 4 with Tyler Shough at quarterback and plenty of passing production behind him, as he sits second in the league in that category. So the setup is simple enough: an improving Falcons team trying to build on some momentum, a high-volume Saints passing attack, and a rivalry that could get a lot more interesting if Penix keeps bringing the kind of spark Atlanta has been missing. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons' Early Draft Outlook Could Shape Their Next Big Decision
A speculative 2027 NFL mock draft already has an early feel for where the Falcons could be headed, and it points them toward a place they have spent plenty of time thinking about: the offensive line. In that projection, Jordan Seaton lands in Atlanta in the first round, a reminder that the next big roster question for the Falcons may be less about flash and more about keeping the foundation sturdy as the years move on.
The broader mock draft is still in the realm of educated guesswork, with Jeremiah Smith slotted to the top overall pick for Miami and other premium names like Colin Simmons and Leonard Moore going early to teams with clear needs. For the Falcons, though, the line choice stands out because it reflects a familiar reality in roster building, where protecting the quarterback and shoring up the front can shape how the rest of the draft board is attacked. [Read more 🡒]