The Falcons have spent the last few years trying to put together a more formidable pass rush. If this offseason is any indication, they’re confident that their pair of first-round picks from this April will turn things around. But, one of their most impactful additions could be free agent linebacker Divine Deablo. Deablo started his career with the Raiders in 2021, but after four mostly-under-the-radar seasons, he could be a “diamond in the rough,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Dave Holcomb.
Divine Deablo ‘Looked Like a Steal’ of a Free Agent Even Before Training Camp
Deablo “actually looked like a steal” even before training camp started, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote this morning. In his article about the most cost-effective moves of this offseason, Gagnon included Deablo as one of eight players who are “looking like gems.”
The other criteria for the list is that each player makes less than $12 million per year on a short-term contract. Deablo satisfies both requirements, as he signed a two-year, $14 million free agent deal in March.
Even though Deablo showed signs of being a solid starting option with the Raiders, Gagnon notes that he “was good but not special.” The linebacker finished second on the Raiders with 106 tackles in 2023. He dropped down to 63 tackles last year, but still managed to put together a productive season.
At the end of June, ESPN’s Marc Raimondi compiled a list of the biggest surprise players on each team. Raimondi described the criteria for that list as a player “who unexpectedly rose to the occasion and could make a serious impact in the fall.”
Raimondi notes that head coach Raheem Morris has been impressed with the free agent’s size, length and speed.
“Even more than that, Morris believes Deablo is capable of wearing the green dot as kind of the quarterback of the defense,” Raimondi wrote. “It sounds like the former Raider has a solid chance at a starting job at inside linebacker alongside Kaden Elliss,” he continued.
Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris Shares Strong Praise for Deablo
On Wednesday, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris shared strong praise for the free agent linebacker. During his media availability session, Morris noted that Deablo has been “really impressive in what he’s been able to do, both in the run game and in coverage.”
“He is absolutely an avatar,” Morris said. “That’s a great way of describing him. [Jeff Ulbrich] describes him as that guy outside the car dealerships that’s really long and just blows,” said Morris.
Morris noted that the free agent linebacker has been able to carry over his skills from his time as a safety in college, while also establishing himself as a pass rush threat.
“His ability to pressure the passer, whether you’re talking about 1-on-1s with the back or being able to get on and off blocks from linemen,” Morris said. “Those are some of the things that have really shown up in some of our practices,” he continued.
“But, to watch him be able to get hands on and shed real significant guards or real significant centers, whatever the case may be, that’s impressive,” Morris later added.
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If Deablo can return to form from his 2023 season, he would cement his status as one of the most cost-effective free agent additions this summer. But, even if things don’t work out, the Falcons will only be on the hook for $3,000,000 in dead cap for 2026. That sounds like a win-win to me.
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