Latest news with #JordanFuller
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons training camp: 3 position battles to watch in 2025
Even though we've reached the slowest period of the NFL offseason, training camp is just around the corner. The Atlanta Falcons will report to their Flowery Branch facility on July 23 and hold their first practice on July 24. While the team is pretty much set on offense, there are a few positions up for grabs on defense as camp approaches. The Falcons have new faces at all three levels of their defense, including three rookies with a chance to start this season. Here's a look at three position battles to keep an eye on when the team reports for training camp. Advertisement Safety: Jordan Fuller vs. Xavier Watts The Falcons did not re-sign veteran Justin Simmons in free agency, leaving a vacancy at the other safety spot next to Jessie Bates. Instead, the team signed safety Jordan Fuller to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Fuller has familiarity with head coach Raheem Morris, starting for the Rams during their Super Bowl run in 2021. The 27-year-old has started 57 career games since 2020. Atlanta also selected safety Xavier Watts in the third round of the draft. Watts recorded six interceptions while not allowing a single touchdown last season at Notre Dame. If he can improve as a tackler, there's a good shot he can overtake Fuller on the depth chart this season. Don't be surprised to see Fuller start in Week 1, though. LB: Divine Deablo vs. Troy Andersen This is another interesting one. Deablo, a relatively unknown talent, signed with the Falcons as a free agent. Fans weren't sure if the team signed Deablo to start at inside linebacker or merely to add depth. However, the former third-round pick has impressed the coaching staff thus far. Morris has even suggested Deablo may wear the green dot this season. Former second-round pick Troy Andersen remains in the mix for the other starting inside linebacker job. Advertisement When healthy, Andersen has shown a ton of promise. However, he's only appeared in 26 games over three seasons. In Week 4, Andersen recorded 16 tackles and a pick-six to win NFC Defensive Player of the Week but was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list due to a knee injury. Deablo looks like the favorite, but Andersen's immense upside gives him a chance to start. DL: Ruke Orhorhoro vs. Morgan Fox The Falcons' entire defensive line could potentially be on this list. Aside from veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata, it's unclear who will start at the other two spots. Right now, we've got Zach Harrison penciled in for one of these jobs, with second-year defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro and veteran Morgan Fox battling it out for the other spot. Fox, 30, signed with the Falcons as a free agent. He has spent most of his career as a versatile backup, appearing in 120 games (34 starts) since entering the league in 2016. Orhorhoro was a healthy scratch for the first four games of the 2024 season. The rookie played well enough when he was out there but suffered an ankle injury in Week 8. Ideally, the former Clemson standout will serve as the long-term replacement for Grady Jarrett. After all, the team traded up to select Orhorhoro with the 35th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Advertisement - Check out our latest Falcons 53-man roster projection ahead of training camp This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: 3 position battles to watch in training camp
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons secondary receives mid ranking from Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus ranked the Falcons secondary 17th in the NFL ahead of 2025 season If the Atlanta Falcons hope to return to the playoffs in 2025, they need to become more consistent on defense. Last season, the team had a chance to clinch the NFC South with two games left to play. The Falcons nearly upset the Washington Commanders in Week 17, but their defense couldn't get a stop when it mattered. The following week, Atlanta turned in another disastrous defensive performance against Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers, giving up 44 points in an overtime loss to close out the season. While most analysts will rightfully point to the pass rush as the team's biggest issue, the secondary also had its share of issues. Atlanta finished 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game (224.5), and 17th in interceptions recorded (12 total). With limited funds, the Falcons did what they could to upgrade their secondary. The team signed veteran safety Jordan Fuller in free agency, re-signed cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Dee Alford, and drafted defensive backs Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman. It's hard to say whether or not this unit will be better, but the team arguably has more depth and talent in the secondary. Pro Football Focus ranked all 32 NFL secondaries ahead of the 2025 season. Atlanta landed in the middle of the pack at No. 17 on PFF's list: Falcons secondary ranked 17th by Pro Football Focus: The Falcons have two cornerstone pieces in safety Jessie Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell, and they added several players this offseason to bolster the rest of the secondary. Jordan Fuller was signed, and Atlanta selected Xavier Watts in the third round of the draft to strengthen the safety spot opposite Bates. The team also hopes Mike Hughes and Dee Alford can deliver strong seasons at cornerback. -- John Kosko, Pro Football Focus Despite being ranked in the bottom half of the NFL, the Falcons secondary was still the highest-ranked unit in the NFC South. The New Orleans Saints (No. 20), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 22) and the Carolina Panthers (No. 30) were listed below Atlanta by PFF. The Falcons did not re-sign safety Justin Simmons, but the former Pro Bowler didn't have his best season. While Simmons is still a free agent, Fuller was probably a better option for a team low on cap space. Watts and Fuller should have a nice training camp battle for the starting safety job next to Jessie Bates. The Falcons report to training camp in roughly two weeks, with their first practice coming on July 24. - Check out our latest Falcons 53-man roster projection ahead of training camp
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons Free Agent Signing Must Be A Veteran Leader For The New Wave Of Rookies
Falcons Free Agent Signing Must Be A Veteran Leader For The New Wave Of Rookies originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Falcons signed Floyd to a one-year, $10 million contract back in March, so the Falcons would have a veteran on the defense knowing they would go defense-heavy in the draft. Floyd recorded 8.5 sacks in 2024 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. Advertisement Floyd is a super bowl winner with the Los Angeles Rams and also had stints in Chicago and Buffalo. He was the 9th overall pick in 2016 by Chicago and has had a solid career but is now entering his age 32-33 season. Leonard Floyd© Danielle Parhizkaran/ / USA TODAY NETWORK The Falcons have some veterans in Jessie Bates, Jordan Fuller and A.J. Terrell, who all have been vocal leaders of defenses, including the Falcons. This season will be very different as many starters will be rookies or second year players. Floyd can be a voice to players like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., who like Floyd are first round picks. Floyd also has that super bowl experience that the Falcons needed on defense. Advertisement Floyd has career stats of 412 tackles, 66.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 defensive touchdowns. A career journeyman, as someone who has been a leader on multiple teams, now joins a franchise who needs a veteran defensive leader more than anything. The Falcons will now have a veteran leader in the linebacker position. Many veterans that sign one-year deals are more or less rentals on a team, but in the case of Floyd he could resign if all goes well with him and the young stars. There will be a lot to look forward to on this defense in 2025. Related: How The Falcons Can Have A Top 5 Passer, Rusher And Receiver In 2025 Related: ESPN Suggests One More Move For The Falcons This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons to sign veteran safety Jordan Fuller, per report
According to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran safety Jordan Fuller. The team needed a strong safety after opting not to re-sign veteran Justin Simmons in free agency. Fuller, 27, previously played for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris when he was the defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams. The former sixth-round pick spent his first four seasons with the Rams before signing with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent last year. Fuller has started 55 career games, and was the starting safety for Los Angeles' Super Bowl team in 2021. Over five NFL seasons, Fuller has recorded 333 tackles (203 solo), seven interceptions and five forced fumbles. Atlanta will pair Fuller with Pro Bowl free safety Jessie Bates. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons sign former Rams safety Jordan Fuller
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons to sign veteran safety Jordan Fuller, per report
Falcons to sign veteran safety Jordan Fuller, per report The Atlanta Falcons are signing safety Jordan Fuller, per report According to a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons are signing veteran safety Jordan Fuller. The team needed a strong safety after opting not to re-sign veteran Justin Simmons in free agency. Fuller, 27, previously played for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris when he was the defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams. The former sixth-round pick spent his first four seasons with the Rams before signing with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent last year. Fuller has started 55 career games, and was the starting safety for Los Angeles' Super Bowl team in 2021. Last season, Fuller appeared in nine games for the Carolina Panthers, recording 54 tackles (28 solo), one forced fumble and one pass defended. Over five NFL seasons, Fuller has recorded 333 tackles (203 solo), seven interceptions and five forced fumbles. Atlanta will pair Fuller with Pro Bowl free safety Jessie Bates in the secondary. The Falcons have already re-signed veteran cornerback Mike Hughes and now Fuller fills their biggest remaining hole on the defense. The team still needs to upgrade its pass rush, which should be Atlanta's top priority in the 2025 NFL draft. Check back for Fuller's contract details when the move is officially announced. Stay up to date with each reported signing using our 2025 Falcons free agency tracker.
