Everything has been clicking for the Atlanta Falcons as of late, and it feels like they are on the verge of turning the corner. While that may seem like a bit of an exaggeration for a team that started the season 0-2, the Falcons are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and it's finally starting to show.
Atlanta's offense has put up 80 points over the last two weeks, while the defense has been holding it down since Week 1. Despite losing starting inside linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata in free agency, this unit have only gotten better in Year 2 under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
One big reason for this change is the production of the team's two rookie linebackers. Fourth-round pick Kendal Daniels and sixth-round
pick Harold Perkins Jr. have exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations through the first four weeks.
Perkins was the Falcons' second-highest-rated defensive player (82.2 PFF grade) in their Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints, tying with cornerback CJ Henderrson with a team-high 10 tackles, while adding his first career sack (technically a half-sack) and breaking up one pass.
This type of performance is nothing new for Perkins, who currently leads all rookie linebackers with an overall PFF grade of 82.6 this season. The former LSU standout has a higher grade than Josiah Trotter, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.
Highest defensive grade among rookie LB this season
— PFF (@PFF) October 6, 2026
Harold Perkins Jr 82.6
Josiah Trotter 79.2
Arvell Reese 77.1
Sonny Styles 76.9
Jaishawn Barham 69.1 pic.twitter.com/eRBh7wvcHI
Perkins also has the NFL's second-best coverage grade among linebackers this season - which isn't too shabby for a guy taken on Day 3 of the draft.
It wasn't just Perkins who shined in Week 4, though. Michael Penix Jr., Chris Lindstrom, Cameron Thomas and DeMarcco Hellams each played well against the Saints on Monday Night Football.
Check out Atlanta's five highest-graded players on offense and defense from Week 4 below.
Falcons Week 4 PFF grades: Top 5 offensive players
- Chris Lindstrom - 90.9
- Drake London - 84.6
- Austin Hooper - 84.4
- Bijan Robinson - 84.3
- Michael Penix Jr. - 82.3
Falcons Week 4 PFF grades: Top 5 defensive players
- Cameron Thomas - 90.1
- Harold Perkins Jr. - 82.2
- DeMarcco Hellams - 78.4
- Gervon Dexter Sr. - 77.8
- Xavier Watts - 72.4
The Falcons will look to keep the magic going in Week 5, when they host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. Check back for the team's first injury report following Wednesday's practice.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons' sixth-round pick is NFL's highest-graded rookie LB
