Tag: Brandon Dorlus

Raheem Morris says Falcons rookie could make NFL debut vs. Broncos

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris hints at Brandon Dorlus making NFL debut vs. Broncos

It’s been a quiet year for the Atlanta Falcons 2024 NFL draft class so far, but that was to be expected after the team selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. a month after signing Kirk Cousins in free agency.

Second-round Ruke Orhorhoro was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury in Week 9 while third-rounder Bralen Trice suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.

As for fourth-round pick Brandon Dorlus, the rookie has yet to be active for a single game in 2024. However, the former Oregon standout could finally make his Falcons debut in Week 11.

Head coach Raheem Morris said there was a good chance Dorlus would be active for this Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.

Dorlus was considered a good value pick in the fourth round but the team’s depth on the defensive line has made it tough for him to get on the field this season. Here’s what Pro Football Focus wrote about Dorlus back in April.

Dorlus was a force for the Ducks in 2023, as his 46 quarterback pressures ranked third among draft-eligible defensive tackles. His 134 total pressures since 2021 is the best mark among players at the position over that span. — PFF

Players like Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta’Quon Graham and Zach Harrison have stood in his way. With Graham’s status for Week 11 up in the air, it has opened the door for Dorlus’ potential debut.

The former Oregon Ducks defensive lineman is listed behind Graham on the depth chart and it appears he will be the next man up this weekend against the Broncos. Sunday’s game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET in Denver.

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Rookie Watch: Brandon Dorlus can tie Falcons’ rebuilding pass rush together

Rookie defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus could be the one to tie all of the Atlanta Falcons’ new pass-rush pieces together.

The Falcons came into the 2024 draft knowing just how much they needed to upgrade their pass rush at all positions. Last season, Atlanta did have 42 sacks, but as Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree — both lost in free agency — tied for the team lead with 6.5 each, general manager Terry Fontenot and new head coach Raheem Morris needed new blood to avoid a further backslide.

The hope is that third-year edge-rusher Arnold Ebiketie can step up, and there have been encouraging signs in that department. But after the controversial first-round pick of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta went all in on its defensive line from there.

The Falcons took Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro with the 35th overall pick in the second round, Washington edge-rusher Bralen Trice with the 74th overall pick in the third round, and Oregon do-it-all guy Brandon Dorlus with the 109th overall pick in the fourth round.

Of those three picks, Dorlus has a shot at being the most immediately effective player, and perhaps the best draft steal over time. Last season for the Ducks, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Dorlus had four sacks, seven quarterback hits, 35 quarterback hurries, and two tackles for loss… and he did so aligned in multiple gaps.

“The cool part about Dorlus was his pass rush, his inside pass rush, his ability to move around and pass rush and be disruptive. That’s what most attracted us to him,” Morris said after the pick was made.

“It was less about Ruke, when Ruke had the ability to play nose, a little 4-I. He has the ability to play 3 tech. Dorlus can do some of those things, but his primary trait would be playing on the edge of a human and absolutely winning on the pass rush, attacking edges, attacking some of those things, creating that disruption up front that we can use sort of like a Grady [Jarrett]. Being able to get the rotation inside with those guys rushing the passer, I feel like can really help us. 

“That’s an area of need that we talked about. I know sometimes we get caught up with just the edge, but that interior rush that we developed around here with the two older guys that we have and our two veterans, to be able to add somebody inside there that can do some of the things, we thought would be pretty critical for us. And once again Terry found a great one out in Oregon. 

“And lucky enough he was coached by some people that we know very well in Tosh Lupoi out there in Oregon that was with us in Atlanta the first time around who I have a lot of respect for and some of the things he said.”

Morris has a point — several, actually. Two of Dorlus’ sacks and 23 of his total pressures came off the edge, and you don’t expect a 290-pound guy to make plays like this.

Morris’ point about the importance of interior pressure is also well-founded. As the NFL becomes more of a quick-game passing league, edge defenders aren’t always going to be able to get home against one-step drop throws. As the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, it makes sense that the Falcons are doing as much to reinforce their defensive interior as they are focusing on the edge.

And at his best, Brandon Dorlus could be the one who ties it all together.

Falcons sign 4th-round pick Brandon Dorlus to rookie contract

The Falcons signed fourth-round pick Brandon Dorlus to his rookie contract on Thursday

The Atlanta Falcons signed defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus to his rookie contract on Thursday afternoon. Dorlus, a fourth-round pick out of Oregon, was considered good value at pick No. 109. The versatile interior lineman was ranked as the 65th overall player on the Pro Football Focus big board.

Dorlus was one of four defensive linemen drafted by Atlanta, along with Ruke Orhorhoro, Bralen Trice and Zion Logue. This group will help the team replace veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who tied for the team lead in sacks last season.

“Though a bit of a tweener, Dorlus has 3-4 and 4-3 versatility with a strong power profile to be a rotational player and potential spot starter,” PFF wrote about Dorlus in its pre-draft player profile.

The Falcons have signed seven of their eight selections from the 2024 NFL draft. Only first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. remains unsigned as we head into June.

Check out highlights of Dorlus at Oregon, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below.

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Falcons’ defensive line ranked among NFL’s most improved by PFF

Pro Football Focus listed the Falcons among the NFL’s most improved defensive lines after the 2024 NFL draft

The Atlanta Falcons spent much of the 2024 NFL offseason upgrading their offense, specifically the quarterback position. First, the team signed free agent Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. Then, the Falcons used their first-round pick on Washington QB Michael Penix.

After securing the present and future at quarterback, it was time for Atlanta to address the defensive line. In the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Falcons traded up to select Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro with pick No. 35.

Next, the team added Washington EDGE Bralen Trice and Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus in Round 4. All three players should make an impact this season in Jimmy Lake’s defense.

Pro Football Focus released a new feature breaking down the most improved defensive lines in the NFL. The Falcons, Rams, Dolphins and Cardinals were the four teams named by PFF’s Trevor Sikkema:

The Atlanta Falcons needed to prioritize their defensive line in the 2024 draft, and while they didn’t go in that direction with their top-10 pick, the rest of their draft reflected their emphasis on getting better in the trenches. In the second round, they traded up for Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro, a player who wins with very good athleticism and can play multiple spots in Raheem Morris’ 3-4 front. The Falcons then drafted Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice in the second round after he led the FBS in pressures (79) as a powerful defensive end. — Trevor Sikkema, PFF

Atlanta’s selection of Orhorhoro was met with mixed reactions but the Clemson standout’s versatility is something that the team values, as Sikkema pointed out. The Falcons desperately needed an edge rusher and Trice was a good mix of value and need in Round 3.

The Dorlus pick in Round 4 was well received, while the selection of Georgia’s Zion Logue adds more depth to the position. The Falcons had a major hole along the defensive line after failing to re-sign Calais Campbell and they effectively did so by adding multiple versatile defenders up front.

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Betting odds for Khyree Jackson, Brandon Dorlus to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Can Brandon Dorlus or Khyree Jackson win the NFL Rookie of the Year? Here are the odds.

The Oregon Ducks saw a program-record eight players go to the NFL a week ago in the 2024 draft, headlined by guys like defensive guys like Khyree Jackson, Brandon Dorlus, and Evan Williams all landing with their professional teams.

There are a ton of guys who will get a shot to prove themselves as rookies in the 2024 season, but the top two defensive guys drafted — Dorlus and Jackson — could really have an early impact should they hit the ground running.

After all the dust has settled from the draft, FanDuel Sportsbook released their betting odds for popular future bets, like offensive and defensive rookie of the year. Here’s where the Ducks are listed:

  • CB Khyree Jackson: +6000
  • DL Brandon Dorlus: +10000

We have seen rookie cornerbacks excel in years past, and had he stayed healthy, former Duck Christian Gonzalez had a good chance to win the defensive Rookie of the Year award last year, so it’s not hard to see the path for someone like Jackson.

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Oregon DL Brandon Dorlus selected by Atlanta Falcons with pick No. 109 in the NFL draft

Brandon Dorlus is headed to the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 109 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

The most versatile player on the Oregon Ducks defensive line has found his spot in the NFL.

On Friday night, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 109 pick in the NFL draft. Dorlus earned numerous rave reviews after the NFL combine and Oregon’s pro day. Multiple NFL teams were intrigued by his ability to play both inside and outside at the next level.

Dorlus had a great career in Eugene, playing for five seasons and racking up 108 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

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Troy Franklin, Brandon Dorlus named among best available in last day of NFL draft

It’s a bit of surprise that WR Troy Franklin, DL Brandon Dorlus and other Ducks are still available in the draft.

Mock drafts are fun to poke around on and get a sense of what the real thing might be like, but they are just mock drafts, predictions, and no guarantees of how the 2024 NFL draft might actually go.

Several Ducks who were highly thought of in the mock drafts, such as Troy Franklin and Brandon Dorlus, are still available as the third day of the draft approaches.

According to the analytical site PFF.com, Franklin and Dorlus are near the top of the list of the best available players and should be taken quickly when the selection process begins once again Saturday. PFF says Franklin is a steal at this point of the draft.

Franklin might get lost in the shuffle of a loaded wide receiver class, but he shouldn’t. His smoothness comes from his athletic profile and his confidence in knowing how to win at the position. He needs to continue to get stronger, but he is a competitive player who can be a good WR2 for a vertical NFL offense.

Dorlus, a defensive tackle, comes in at No. 5 on the list. This was PFF’s assessment.

“Though a bit of a tweener, Dorlus has 3-4 and 4-3 versatility with a strong power profile to be a rotational player and potential spot starter,” says PFF.

Also on the list of the top 100 best available are Bucky Irving at No. 10, corner Khyree Jackson at No. 14.

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Ranking the top 25 remaining prospects for Seahawks going into Day 3

Here are the top 25 prospects who are still on the board as far as Seattle should be conerned.

Last night we had time to finish reading a novel and start another one as the Seahawks were waiting for their turn to pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. Today that won’t be the case, as Seattle is slated to pick second behind Carolina at the top of the fourth round at No. 102 overall. The Seahawks will be on the clock again not long after at 118. That means they’ll have their choice of the top remaining prospects in the draft.

With that in mind, here are the top 25 prospects who are still on the board as far as Seattle should be conerned.

2024 NFL mock draft: Seahawks go best player available in 3-round projections

The Seahawks still have a lot of work to do if they’re going to catch up with the true contenders around the league.

The Seahawks still have a lot of work to do if they’re going to catch up with the true contenders around the league. Most of all, that will require a good haul of prospects in the 2024 NFL draft. If they can pull it off, that would make three-straight strong draft classes by Seattle for the first time since the formative Legion of Boom years in 2010-2012.

It’s easier said than done, but if the Seahawks can manage a true Best Player Available strategy in the draft, it would certainly help. Going into our latest mock, we aimed to trade down a couple times to improve the quality of our picks, if not necessarily the quantity. Once on the clock we stuck to a strict best player available approach – drafting the highest-ranked player on the board regardless of position with two small exceptions: no running backs and no double-dipping at any one position.

In the end, we dramatically improved both the offensive and defensive line units with two good prospects coming in for each. Here’s the full 100-pick mock.

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