The Falcons have changed defensive coordinators twice since Ade Ogundeji last played, and the Raheem Morris–Jimmy Lake duo does not have the former starter in its plans. Atlanta cut the fourth-year pass rusher Thursday.
A 2021 fifth-round pick, Ogundeji worked as a starter for much of his first two seasons before suffering a season-nullifying injury during training camp last year. The Dean Pees-era starter, who suffered a foot injury last season, missed the Ryan Nielsen season and will be looking elsewhere ahead of Morris and Lake’s first season running Atlanta’s defense.
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Chosen during Arthur Smith‘s first draft with the team, the Notre Dame alum was drafted to play in Pees’ scheme. The Falcons, who have been thin at edge rusher for years, deployed the 6-foot-4 defender as a starter for most of his first two seasons.
Ogundeji started 26 games for the team from 2021-22, including 16 contests during the ’22 season. Production was rather sparse given the usage, however, as Ogundeji exited his second season with three career sacks. Playing 48% and 51% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps in 2021 and ’22, Ogundeji totaled eight tackles for loss with the Falcons. He produced six sacks in his final season with the Fighting Irish.
Atlanta added low-cost veterans Bud Dupree and Lorenzo Carter last year; those two teamed with 2022 second-rounder Arnold Ebiketie as the team’s top edge rushers last season. No Falcon reached the seven-sack mark. The Falcons showed interest in re-signing Dupree, but the former first-rounder is now a Charger. And the Falcons passed on bolstering their edge rush — though, not for lack of trying through back-door measures — in this year’s first round. This certainly qualifies as a need area for a team that surprised most by choosing Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8.
Two Mays ago, the Falcons cut John Cominsky to lead to eight waiver claims. It will be interesting to see if Ogundeji draws interest elsewhere soon. The 25-year-old pass rusher, however, was not on the field with teammates when the Falcons convened for OTAs last week, per AtlantaFalcons.com’s Terrin Waack.
This is a guy the Bears might sign. He’s 6’4″ and he’s the tall kind of DE that Eberflus likes. He doesn’t take guys who are really 3-4 linebackers.