The Atlanta Falcons finally fixed their broken pass-rush last year by drafting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., however, Walker is out for the season with a torn ACL and Pearce is suspended for the first eight games. This put the Falcons in a bind going into 2026, but defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich did not blink.
The Falcons have continued to generate pressure up front, in large part due to the play of defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus and Maason Smith. Dorlus, former fourth-round pick, has played more of a defensive end role this year with Pearce and Walker out.
Smith, a former second-round pick who was acquired via trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been the nose tackle this team desperately needed in the middle of its defensive line.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas has been a force up front as well.
The trio of Dorlus, Smith and Thomas finished in the top five of pass-rush wins in Week 3 (prior to Monday Night Football), according to ESPN's Seth Walder.
Most pass rush wins, Week 3 thus far
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 28, 2026
1. Will Anderson Jr., Texans
2. Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars
T3. Brandon Dorlus, Falcons
T3. Maason Smith, Falcons
5. Cameron Thomas, Falcons pic.twitter.com/4MpO3V54sG
Dorlus and Smith were tied for third, while Thomas finished fifth in pass-rush wins this week. Atlanta's defense dominated up front for four quarters on Thursday, holding the Packers to just 17 rushing yards and making Jordan Love uncomfortable all night.
The Falcons have struggled on offense in two of their three games, but their defense has been pretty good consistently each week. Even Atlanta's 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 included four turnovers and a pick-six by the offense.
Going forward, if the Falcons offense can continue to put up big yardage (and points), this team has a real shot at making the playoffs after an eight-year drought.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 3 Falcons DL ranked among NFL's best pass-rushers in Week 3
