Rashaan Evans, Mykal Walker, Troy Andersen: Will Atlanta keep their 2022 ILBs together in 2023? — Falcons breakdown

Who stays: Evans, Walker and Andersen

On the chopping block: Evans and Walker

I do know what you are considering: “Tori, this breakdown would not make any sense.” And also you’re proper. It would not. However hear me out for a second…

The Falcons have but to announce a defensive coordinator rent, and in my thoughts this determination drastically impacts the within linebacker place due to the character of members of this group appearing because the voice of the coordinator on the sector.

There’s a world through which I believe this complete core group of inside linebackers ought to keep collectively in 2023. Evans was an essential piece of consistency for this protection in 2022. Although Walker finally misplaced his beginning spot to Andersen, then-defensive coordinator Dean Pees stated time and time once more that it wasn’t as a result of the Falcons have been displeased with Walker’s efficiency. It was that they wanted to see Andersen within the function, too. In reality, even when that weren’t the case, the competitors between two younger linebackers is wholesome.

Then, there’s Andersen, himself. An intriguing participant with uncooked expertise that the Falcons have begun to mildew into what they need. There’s worth in holding these three collectively once more.

Nonetheless, as there’s a world the place they keep collectively, there’s additionally a realm through which they’re damaged aside.

For example a brand new defensive coordinator needs to come back in and revamp the place. With Andersen nonetheless being so new to the league, he would not be the one on the chopping block, Evans and Walker would.

Evans was solely on a one-year deal in Atlanta. If the Falcons need him again, they’d need to re-sign him. If they do not, he heads to the open market.

Walker will probably be on the ultimate yr of his rookie deal in 2023. The Falcons have already parted with one member of the 2020 draft class earlier than their rookie deal expired (Marlon Davidson), who’s to say they would not try this to Walker in the event that they discovered somebody within the draft or in free company that would play his function?

And that, my buddies, is the place I depart you.

Largest offseason query: Do the Falcons get the 2022 band again collectively in 2023?

If that is me – Tori McElhaney – making the choice I say, “Sure, convey them again.” Why? As a result of in my thoughts they did not do sufficient to warrant not bringing them again, to begin with. And second of all, if you’ll want to put cash and assets again into the protection I can consider three different place teams that want it greater than the within linebackers do. Particularly in the event that they have been to maintain Evans – significantly – round a bit longer.

In my thoughts, the Falcons have extra vital and urgent wants alongside the defensive inside, in move rush as a complete for that matter, and in acquired depth on the cornerback place. Inside linebacker shouldn’t be a high precedence for me at this present juncture.

Nonetheless, I’m not the one making the selections. I’m not the brand new defensive coordinator. And I’m not the one who has a say through which route the place group goes in 2023 and past. Maybe the precise decision-makers really feel in another way. Perhaps they wish to clear home. That is a chance, too.

In the intervening time, although, we do not know which aspect Falcons determination makers are literally leaning in direction of.

And that, my buddies, is the place they depart us.