Atlanta Falcons’ 90-man roster analysis: The linebackers

“We’ll see where it goes with Deion,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He got something (a shoulder) cleaned up in the offseason. … He should be ready to go by camp.”

The Falcons appear set to revamp the inside linebacker position, while adding three new outside linebackers in free agency and the draft.

Foye Oluokun, who led the NFL in tackles with 192 last season, signed with Jacksonville in free agency.

In addition to Jones and Mykal Walker, the Falcons signed veterans Rashaan Evans and Nick Kwiatkoski in free agency and drafted Troy Andersen in the second round. Dorian Etheridge and Nathan Landman round out the inside linebacker group.

The Falcons signed Lorenzo Carter in free agency and drafted Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone to buttress the outside linebacker position.

Evans and Walker worked inside and Carter and Ade Ogundeji outside with the first-team defense during the open OTA and minicamp practices.

“That (group) is going to be competitive,” Smith said. “Everybody is going to have to earn a spot. Like Mykal Walker, he played well for us at (weakside) linebacker in spots. Mykal was guy that developed. He kind of found a home there. It’s going to be a tough (group).”

Evans comes over from Tennessee and has his best season (2019) while playing for defensive coordinator Dean Pees.

“Rashaad Evans is extremely motivated,” Smith said. “He wants a shot to prove himself. He was a first-round pick at Tennessee. Had some productive years. Whatever happened, happened.”

The Falcons don’t plan to rush Andersen onto the field.

“We’ll bring him along at the right pace,” Smith said. “But there is real competition. It’s not, somebody is going to walk in there and be anointed, like I’ve got it.”

But Jones, who had 137 tackles last season, has the highest salary-cap number on the team, at $20 million for the 2022 season. But his spot in the lineup is not guaranteed.

“All we’re trying to do here is get the right guys,” Smith said. “It’s competitive. And that’s the nature of the NFL. And so that (group), however, it shakes out. I’ve said this many times and it’s no secret there, there is open competition.”

Walker played 193 defensive snaps (17%) last season and 385 defensive snaps (36%) as a rookie.

“I was ready last year,” Walker said when asked if he’s ready to start. “I’ve just been waiting for my opportunity.”

Walker is not backing down from the competition at the position.

“Every day I’m just going to go out there and compete,” Walker said.

Evans, who played at Alabama, was taken 22nd overall in the 2018 draft. After 50 starts over 59 games, the Titans didn’t pick up his fifth-year option.

“He’s a sharp guy,” inside linebackers coach Frank Bush said. “He’s confident. The thing about it is, and what’s been impressive is, that he was in the system with Dean as well. He sits in the meetings and takes great notes. He never misses anything.”

Kwiatkoski, who was with the Raiders last season, has started 34 games in his career.

Andersen, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds, played quarterback and running back at Montana State before landing at linebacker.

“You have to find the things that will help him get to the athlete,” Bush said. “Right now, he’s in a learning mode. He’s trying to figure the thing out. ... He does not know our language. We’ve got to teach him, school him up on how we do things.

“The faster he learns stuff, the faster you’ll see the player on the field.”

Carter, who played at Norcross High and Georgia, played with the Giants for the past four seasons. He has 14.5 career sacks.

“It’s good to have the veteran in the group that has been down some of these roads before,” outside linebacker coach Ted Monachino said. “Football is really easy for him.”

The Falcons are hoping that Ogundeji, who played 527 defensive snaps (48%) as a rookie, can increase his productivity. He had 33 tackles and a sack.

“He probably overachieved last year,” Monachino said. “And in that time, you know, through 17 games, he was able to figure out the things he needed to work on to be better. ... We expect him to take a major step forward.”

Falcons’ 90-man roster analysis:

Part 1: Defensive line

Part 2: Linebackers

Part 3: Secondary

Part 4: Special teams

Part 5: Wide receivers/ tight end

Part 6: Offensive line

Part 7: running backs

Part 8: Quarterback

The AJC’s projected depth chart

OFFENSE

WR – Bryan Edwards, Cordarrelle Patterson, Frank Darby, Cameron Batson, KhaDarel Hodge, Stanley Berryhill

TE – Kyle Pitts, Brayden Lenius, Tucker Fisk

LT – Jake Matthews, Rick Leonard, Tyler Vrabel, Leroy Watson

LG – Jalen Mayfield, Elijah Wilkinson, Colby Gossett, Justin Shaffer

C – Drew Dalman or Matt Hennessy, Jonotthan Harrison

RG – Chris Lindstrom, Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil

RT – Kaleb McGary, Germain Ifedi

TE – Anthony Firkser, Parker Hesse, John Raine, John FitzPatrick

WR – Drake London, Olamide Zaccheaus, Geronimo Allison, Auden Tate, Damiere Byrd, Jared Bernhardt, Tyshaun James

RB – Cordarrelle Patterson, Damien Williams, Qadree Ollison, Caleb Huntley, Avery Williams, Tyler Allgeier

FB – Keith Smith

QB – Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Feleipe Franks

DEFENSE

DE – Grady Jarrett, Marlon Davidson, Jalen Dalton

NT – Vincent Taylor, Anthony Rush, Eddie Goldman, Timothy Horne

DE – Ta’Quon Graham, Nick Thurman, Bryce Rodgers, Derrick Tangelo

OLB – Lorenzo Carter, Jordan Brailford, Arnold Ebiketie

ILB – Deion Jones, Mykal Walker, Troy Andersen

ILB – Rashaan Evans, Dorian Etheridge, Nick Kwiatkoski, Nathan Landman

OLB – Adetokunbo Ogundeji, Quinton Bell, Rashad Smith, DeAngelo Malone, Kuony Deng

LCB – A.J. Terrell, Darren Hall, Mike Ford, Corey Ballentine, Cornell Armstrong, Lafayette Pitts

FS (Left) – Jaylinn Hawkins, Erik Harris, Dean Marlowe

SS (Right) – Richie Grant, Teez Tabor, Tre Webb

RCB – Casey Hayward, Isaiah Oliver, Dee Alford, Matt Hankins

SPECIAL TEAMS

K – Younghoe Koo

P – Bradley Pinion, Seth Vernon

LS – Liam McCullough

H – Bradley Pinion, Desmond Ridder

PR – Avery Williams, Cameron Batson

KOR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Avery Williams, Cameron Batson

The Bow Tie Chronicles