Atlanta Falcons Full Position Breakdown & Depth Chart Analysis at Defensive Line
The Atlanta Falcons defense needs to see improvement along the defensive line. Atlanta's interior defensive line positions—strong-side defensive end, nose tackle, under tackle and nickel interior pass-rushers—are going to be fought for through some very competitive battles.
While second-round draft pick Ra'Shede Hageman and big-name 2014 free agents Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai look to be in the mix for starting positions right now, longtime Falcon Jonathan Babineaux and 2013 fourth-round pick Malliciah Goodman could be dark horses for starting roles. Also, don't count out 2015 free-agent signing Adrian Clayborn.
Ra'Shede Hageman
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Role: Starting Under Tackle
Ra'Shede Hageman is a physical specimen who had his ups and downs in 2014. He had times when he just didn't look like he knew what was going on or what his assignment was. That should change a ton under new head coach Dan Quinn's much more simplified scheme.
Hageman will be asked to play primarily a one-gapping, penetrating under-tackle role out of a 3-technique on the weak side of the formation. This should be for the best. Hageman has been most effective when he can be one-on-one with an offensive guard and use his power and sheer force to knock his opponent out of the way.
Paul Soliai
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Role: Starting Nose Tackle
Paul Soliai was brought in before the 2014 season to be a clogger in the middle of the field. That shouldn't change in 2015 under Quinn. He'll be asked to play in a 1-technique on the strong side most of the time, meaning that he should occupy a center and a guard.
With Soliai eating up blockers and Hageman creating havoc on the other side of the center, the linebackers should have many more open lanes to hit the running backs behind the line. On top of that, if Soliai is eating blockers on the inside of the formation, it should free up the ends for more one-on-one pass-rush situations.
Adrian Clayborn
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Role: Starting Strong-Side Defensive End
This was the weakest link of the 2014 defensive line. It should be much better in 2015 with Adrian Clayborn manning the position. He's been a very good pass-rusher in the NFL thus far, but he's been plagued by injuries during the early parts of his career.
2015 will hopefully be different. And despite being injury-prone early in his career, the Falcons could wind up with a truly talented strong-side end in Clayborn. He's very similar to Michael Bennett—whom Quinn coached when coordinating the Seattle Seahawks defense—in a lot of ways and could be the steal of the 2015 free-agent class.
Jonathan Babineaux
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Role: Competing for Rotational Pass-Rush Role
Jonathan Babineaux is the second-longest tenured Falcon by just a couple of hours. He's been a Falcon for a decade now and will likely finish his career in Atlanta. He's also declining from the fringe Pro Bowl talent that he was for years.
And that's OK. But at 33—he turns 34 in October—the Falcons should use him in a rotational role. Babineaux would be best coming on in pass-rush situations, in which he can play in a 3-technique and attack quarterbacks. That's where his strength is at this point and time.
Grady Jarrett
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Role: Competing for Rotational Pass-Rush Role
Grady Jarrett was a steal in the fifth round for the Falcons. The son of Falcons legend Jessie Tuggle should compete for a spot in rotation with Babineaux this year. Even if he doesn't earn a ton of playing time in a pass-rushing role, he should still see time spelling Soliai at the 1-technique.
Jarrett is an ideal fit for Quinn's scheme as a 1-technique nose tackle due to his ability to penetrate the interior and eat up blockers if he's causing too much trouble. The Falcons should see him fill out in his 6-foot, 290-pound frame a bit more as well to get closer to a Brandon Mebane-sized player (309 lbs) when all is said and done.
Tyson Jackson
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Role: Competing for Reserve Role at Strong-Side Defensive End
In this new scheme under Quinn, a role for Tyson Jackson doesn't look like something that will be available. He might be able to earn a spot as a rotational strong-side defensive end or a goal-line-package player for the 2015 season.
After that, however, it would be shocking to see Jackson on the Falcons. He's just not a great fit for the new scheme and likely won't be able to beat out Clayborn or Goodman for a starting or rotational role without completely changing who he is as a player.
Malliciah Goodman
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Role: Competing for a Reserve Role at Strong-Side End
Malliciah Goodman is one of the most underrated players in the Falcons defensive line rotation. After bulking up too big (290 lbs) in 2014 and playing more of a defensive-tackle-style role, Goodman has lost weight to get back down to his college weight of 270 and will play end in 2015.
This should help him get back to his true form. When he was in college, Goodman played a role almost identical to the one Michael Bennett played for Quinn in Seattle. He is at his best when he can line up on the strong side, set the edge and attack the quarterback from that spot.
Cliff Matthews
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Role: Competing for a Roster Spot
A longtime special teamer on the roster, Cliff Matthews can play either the edge roles or the interior defensive line roles. In the new scheme, he'll be very important to the depth along the line, as well. But the question is whether he can earn a roster spot.
The Falcons would likely have to keep at least seven interior defensive linemen for him to have a shot. Then he'd have to beat out Jackson or Goodman for that final spot. On top of that, he'll have to show that he can learn the new scheme and be more than just a pure run defender in the scheme.
Joey Mbu
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Role: Competing for a Roster Spot
Behind the 6'4", 344-pound Soliai, the Falcons don't really have anyone with a massive frame. Sure, Hageman (6'6", 310 lbs) and Jackson (6'4", 295 lbs) have the ability to play the 1-technique, but it wouldn't be close to their best roles. Jarrett doesn't have size similar to Soliai's, either.
Because of that, Joey Mbu stands a shot at making the roster. Mbu is 6'3", 315 pounds and has long 35-inch arms that would allow him to keep distance between him and an offensive guard. He's also quick off the snap. He stands an outside shot at a roster spot should the Falcons keep seven defensive linemen.
Ricky Havili-Heimuli
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Role: Competing for a Roster Spot
Unlike Mbu, Ricky Havili-Heimuli looks like he's just going to be in camp to take some snaps and keep guys rested. His highest potential is as a practice squad player again. He isn't the ideal athlete up front whom the Falcons want and isn't good with his technique, either.
Warren Herring
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Role: Competing for a Roster Spot
Warren Herring is a very unique situation. He could be a guy who will pop off the ball in camp and show some potential as a 3-technique. But his film doesn't show that ability now. His ideal role is in a 3-4 as an end eating blockers, not as a 4-3 defensive tackle.
Sam Meredith
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Role: Competing for a Roster Spot
Sam Meredith had a solid career for San Diego State. But he doesn't project well to the NFL. In all likelihood, Meredith is just a camp body who will be there to take some snaps and keep guys fresh throughout camp.
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN.com, cfbstats.com or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He's also the Featured Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.
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