ESPN names Falcons defender as ‘X factor’ for 2024 NFL season

The Falcons have been on the brink of a playoff berth for the last three seasons but due to poor play at the quarterback position, they haven’t been able to get over the hump. Over the 2024 NFL offseason, the team signed free agent Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr. to solidify the quarterback position for the next decade.

Cousins undoubtedly makes Atlanta a better team, but the extra emphasis on quarterbacks caused some of the other positions to be overlooked. With lingering questions on defense, particularly in the secondary and outside linebacker position, the Falcons made two major moves just as training camp wrapped up.

First, the team traded a third-round pick to the Patriots for edge rusher Matthew Judon. Then, Atlanta signed Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons. Both players should have a noticeable impact on the defense this season. ESPN’s Ben Solak compiled a list of every NFL team’s “X factor” for 2024 and the 32-year-old Judon was selected for the Falcons:

Enter Judon, whose contract demands with New England concluded with a trade to the Falcons. Atlanta sent a third-round pick for the 32-year-old, which is a steep price — and it doesn’t have a contract extension in place with him, which makes things even trickier. Judon is a great sack artist. He doesn’t necessarily have high pressure rates, but when he gets to the quarterback, he consistently takes him down.

If he has one more good season in him, Atlanta’s defense will benefit tremendously. As long as they’re an average unit, and the offense is a good one (as expected), the Falcons might get that playoff appearance that has eluded them since the 2017 season. But if Judon is too far beyond his prime to deliver, there might not be enough edge-rushing depth to help him out. — Ben Solak, ESPN

As Solak pointed out, the Falcons lost their top two sack leaders from 2023 (Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree). Judon is a welcome addition who has played some of his best football over the last three years. In 2021, Judon racked up 12.5 sacks, then topped his career-high with 15.5 sacks in 2022.

While the former Patriots outside linebacker missed 13 games in 2023, he still finished with four sacks. Judon totaled 32 sacks over 38 games for the Patriots from 2021-2023.

The Falcons don’t have a ton of depth at outside linebacker, but third-year man Arnold Ebiketie has been a consistent source of pressure off the edge. Plus, Lorenzo Carter is a capable veteran with some versatility. The loss of rookie Bralen Trice prompted Atlanta to pull off the trade for Judon.

Unlike in recent seasons, the Falcons should have enough offensive firepower to overcome any defensive shortcomings. Perhaps that six-year postseason drought can finally end in 2024.