After spending two first round picks on edge rushers, and signing another one in free agency the Atlanta Falcons have put a lot resources into bolstering their pass rush this offseason, and while Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., and Leonard Floyd will be important to the overall success of the Falcons earlier today The Morning Shift explained why they think the true gauge of Atlanta’s success will be tied to the pass rusher who’s going into year four of his career and year four with Falcons this season.
“Is there a chance that Arnold Ebiketie is the best kind of litmus test for how good this team is gonna be? Like if he’s having a good year you feel like this team is gonna have a good year. Not saying that he’s like the key to it, but I think it’s like a good gauge, you know what I mean like if Arnold Ebiketie is able to get to double digit sacks this team may be playoff bound.” Mike Johnson said
Beau Morgan mentions that Ebiketie has come on late so far during his three seasons in the NFL, and says he wants to see the Falcons’ former second round pick “click early” this year. Beau also says that if AK is playing well early this season he thinks it could be “huge” for the Falcons.
Last season Ebiketie recorded five of his six sacks in the final six games, so to Beau’s point if he picks up where he left off last season there’s no reason the “Doctor of Pass Rush” can’t start his 2025-26 campaign off with a bang, and have a breakout year.
If AK is able to reach that double digit sack mark that Mike mentioned it will just open things up and make things easier for the productive veteran in Lorenzo Carter and the young pass rushers in Bralen Trice, Jalon Walker, and James Pearce Jr., so if that happens this Falcons team will more than likely be playoff bound and legit contenders in the NFC.