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Let’s face it – it looked like a mistake from day one. When Raheem Morris left Sean McVay’s Rams staff to take the Falcons head coaching job, his coordinator choices showed a clear pattern: one inspired, one concerning. Zac Robinson’s hire had “future NFL head coach” written all over it. Jimmy Lake’s appointment? It carried all the warning signs from his troubled Washington tenure.
Morris’s faith in Lake as defensive coordinator last season might’ve single-handedly cost Atlanta a playoff spot. Sure, Kirk Cousins fell apart down the stretch, but the defense collapsed when it mattered most. What started as a promising secondary unraveled completely. The pass rush? It eventually found some footing after spending the early season completely invisible. And those linebackers? Just… there.
Taking a look at the Falcons’ depth chart heading into camp, I spotted two interesting names buried as third-stringers – both with deep connections to Lake from his Washington days. Defensive back Kevin King and edge rusher Bralen Trice find themselves fighting uphill battles, with the team clearly investing more heavily in other players. Both have troubling injury histories that complicate their paths forward.
Trice likely makes the roster. King’s future isn’t nearly as secure.
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I’ve always been high on Trice’s potential. After missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury suffered in that first preseason game against Miami, he’s looking to prove himself. He was instrumental in Washington’s run to the CFP Championship under DeBoer two seasons back (alongside Michael Penix Jr.), though he did briefly play for Lake in Seattle before that coaching change.
Unless his knee injury has completely derailed his development, Trice sticks around. The problem? He’s now buried on the depth chart behind rookie Jalon Walker and fourth-year pro Arnold Ebiketie at one outside linebacker spot. The other edge position features veteran Leonard Floyd mentoring explosive rookie James Pearce Jr., with DeAngelo Malone a distant third. Trice represents classic boom-or-bust potential – but I’m still bullish on his chances to contribute.
King’s story is different. After missing two full seasons, he managed to resurrect his once-promising career (remember when Green Bay drafted him in the second round?) with a backup role in Atlanta last year. The problem? He’s currently third on the depth chart at strong safety. That’s Jessie Bates III’s position – locked down by one of the league’s best. DeMarcco Hellams showed real promise as a rookie before missing 2024 with injury.
King’s roster spot hangs by a thread, while Trice at least has youth and potential working in his favor. Still, the writing’s on the wall for Trice too – the team drafted Pearce and Walker, essentially replacing him twice over before he’s even played a meaningful snap. Floyd looks like the Matthew Judon replacement on the edge, while Jordan Fuller steps into Justin Simmons’ role at safety. One thing’s crystal clear: this Atlanta defense must perform better than last year’s disappointment.
Training camp and preseason will tell the full story about how this roster shapes up.
