Falcons high draft pick buried on the depth chart

With the Falcons done with joint practices in Miami against the Dolphins, Atlanta released their first depth chart ahead of their first preseason contest on Friday.

I broke down the depth chart in more detail, which you should read if you’re interested in my full thoughts on some surprises, but I want to talk about one of them in deeper detail.

I want to preface this by saying depth charts at any point should be taken with a grain of salt, but especially at this time of the year. With that being said, DeAngelo Malone is currently slotted as the 4th string outside linebacker, behind starters Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebiketie, backups Bralen Trice and James Smith-Williams, and third-stringers Bradlee Anae and Anthony Johnson.

The Falcons traded Matt Ryan and netted a 2022 third-round pick, which was used on Malone. He only took two snaps on defense last season, the other 364 snaps were on special teams. Even though there’s a new regime in place with a clean slate, Malone is very clearly on the roster bubble.

The Falcons drafted Bralen Trice in the third round and signed James Smith-Williams in free agency, but cutting a Day 2 pick after two seasons would be a terrible look for Terry Fontenot, a general manager who already has a less-than-stellar track record in the draft.

One would think the Falcons are looking to keep Malone around because of how thin, unproven, and overall weak the edge unit is, but acting like Malone isn’t in danger of being cut this offseason is foolish.

Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie, Bralen Trice, and James Smith-Williams make up the edge unit as it stands, but roles will still be hammered out in Jimmy Lake’s defense. Malone wasn’t a natural fit in Ryan Nielsen’s defense last year, as evidenced by taking just two defensive snaps, but things should be different under Lake.

For him not to even get an opportunity is a damning indictment of how Lake and Morris see Malone. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons did part ways with him. If he is cut, it will once again be a mark against Fontenot’s resumé as a GM.

—

Photographer: John Adams/Icon Sportswire