Bud Dupree had piqued the eye of the Atlanta Falcons during the summer. The seasoned pass rusher, who is possibly Atlanta’s greatest all-around edge rusher, played a significant role in the defense in 2023. After agreeing to a two-year contract with the Chargers and joining Harbaugh’s defense, Bud Dupree has officially moved on. It is improbable that the Falcons agreed to match the Chargers’ two-year deal. Although Atlanta had minimal contract space and a long-term need for the position, Bud Dupree was a great veteran addition, so this wasn’t a perfect fit. The Chargers already have excellent defensive players and your franchise pass rusher. They are trying to get out of a difficult cap scenario, and Dupree provides significant ceiling depth at a low cost. Given what transpired the last time a head coach took over an NFL position, Harbaugh’s team is one to keep a careful eye on. Considering the possibilities available to rush the passer, it is concerning that Atlanta will not be able to bring back Dupree or Campbell. More snaps could help Ebiketie improve, but it’s clear that he needs work on his run defense and playmaking. Can the edge make enough progress to keep him on the field even if he does make this leap? At this point, Lorenzo Carter is a finished product—an effort player who will find it difficult to get to the quarterback while being an excellent run defenser. All prospects of improvement for the youngster Trice are therefore eliminated. Even developing pass rushers typically don’t have spectacular debut campaigns. It would be foolish to anticipate a fast response from Trice. The rookie shouldn’t go into the season counting on him to be the team’s main pass rusher, even though he will play a part. The Falcons should continue to think about possible free agency fits and who they could bring in to support their youthful pass rush despite their limited financial room.
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