From the intensity of the defense to the early flashes from Michael Penix Jr., the Atlanta Falcons brought urgency to July. With a rookie class full of expectations, a receiver room battling injuries, and two quarterbacks pushing each other in very different ways, Falcons training camp has revealed plenty.
Coach Raheem Morris has leaned into the competition. And while some players are already making strong cases for themselves, others are still trying to get back on the field. Here’s what we learned.
The Defense Is Flying (Especially the Rookies)
GettyNew Year, New Defense
If there’s one thing that’s come through loud and clear at Falcons camp, it’s the defensive energy. Jeff Ulbrich’s unit is playing with edge and speed, and the two rookie first rounders, James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, have been central to that.
Pearce, in particular, has been one of the camp’s most disruptive players. He notched back to back sacks in a two minute drill against Kirk Cousins, one of them shared with free agent signee Morgan Fox. Fellow rookie Walker, working primarily with the 1s before suffering a minor hamstring issue, has impressed with his versatility and burst off the edge.
The energy has extended to the secondary, where Xavier Watts and Jordan Fuller have been battling for starting reps at safety. While Watts missed portions of team drills recently, he’s had a strong camp overall and remains firmly in the mix.
The defensive front is also flashing more pressure than Falcons fans are used to. Veteran DL Ruke Orhorhoro has been a handful in red zone work, and the unit already has multiple forced fumbles. The aggression, as Cousins put it, is intentional: “They’re going to be that way all the time, hair on fire.”
The Offense Is Evolving But Needs Receivers to Step Up
GettyInjuries Plague the Receiving Core
Second year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has gotten more first team runs than expected, showing that the Falcons truly believe in him. To make things even better, he’s making the most of those reps. His latest highlight came during a sharp two minute drill that included three completions to Drake London and a pinpoint throw to Ray-Ray McCloud III. It ended with an interception on a ball that needed more loft, but the flashes of rhythm and command were clear.
With Darnell Mooney out several weeks due to a shoulder injury, the Falcons’ receiver depth is being tested. KhaDarel Hodge has stepped into first team reps alongside London and McCloud, while DJ Chark Jr., signed just before the Mooney injury, is working with the twos. Penix mentioned David Sills V and Chris Blair as under the radar players making the most of their reps.
Still, the injuries highlight why Atlanta needs Kyle Pitts to be more than a red zone decoy. Pitts is on a planned workload as he returns from offseason recovery, but when he’s on the field, it opens up a whole new world for the offense.
Whether it’s the kicking battle (rookie Lenny Krieg went 5 for 5 on the day veteran Younghoe Koo went 4 of 5) or the scuffles in the trenches, July was all about setting a tone. Raheem Morris made it clear that jobs are up for grabs.
There’s still a long way to go before Week 1. But between the pass rush, quarterback intrigue, and a defense that’s starting to bite back, the Falcons are clearly shifting in a more aggressive direction.
And it’s starting to show.
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