The Atlanta Falcons recently completed two days of joint practices with the Tennessee Titans as part of their preparations for the upcoming NFL season. These sessions, held in Flowery Branch, Georgia, offered limited insight into the team’s progress due to restrictions on full-contact drills and play intensity.
During these practices, questions arose regarding the effectiveness of the Falcons’ run game and concerns about player performance. One area of focus was the impact of center Drew Dalman on the running attack. In 2024, Dalman started nine games where Atlanta averaged 31 carries and 138 rushing yards per game at a rate of 4.4 yards per attempt. When Ryan Neuzil started eight games during Dalman’s absence, those numbers dipped slightly to 27 carries and 121.7 rushing yards per game but maintained a similar average per attempt.
The offensive line’s consistency remains a key factor for Atlanta’s ground game. Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary are highlighted as crucial contributors in blocking schemes for running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
The team continues to rely on its wide zone running scheme but has experimented with more gap runs during training camp and preseason. This adjustment is seen as preparation for potential defensive adjustments by opponents once the regular season begins.
Regarding rookie Jalon Walker’s development, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich addressed concerns about his transition from college to professional football: “Jalon Walker — a guy who throughout his career at Georgia did a lot of different things but we are really trying to develop him as an edge rusher,” Ulbrich said this week. “Now, saying that, we’re still going to take advantage of his versatility and we are going to have packages that will feature some of the special stuff that he does.”
Ulbrich noted that while Walker is not yet playing as a traditional edge rusher—a role more natural for fellow rookie James Pearce Jr.—the coaching staff values Walker’s versatility and expects growth over time.
In terms of secondary starters for Week 1, current projections place Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts at safety (with DeMarcco Hellams potentially used in certain packages), A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes at outside cornerback (with Natrone Brooks as depth), and Dee Alford at nickelback. The coaching staff continues to evaluate options such as Billy Bowman Jr., indicating that final decisions remain open ahead of the regular season.
The Falcons’ preseason evaluations continue as they look to solidify their lineup before Week 1.
