FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For the second consecutive year, it’s possible the Atlanta Falcons will focus on the same position with their biggest offseason signing and their first-round pick in the NFL draft.
If so, Leonard Floyd would not mind at all.
Floyd said Tuesday he looks at pass rushing as a team effort and would welcome more help coming via the draft.
The Falcons agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with Floyd on March 11, soon after the veteran edge rusher was released by the San Francisco 49ers. The Falcons announced the signing of the 32-year-old Georgia native on March 13.
One year ago, the Falcons signed free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal — and then made a stunning move the following month by using the No. 8 pick of the draft on Michael Penix Jr., who had quarterbacked the Washington Huskies to a national runner-up finish in his last college season.
Penix became the starter late last season after Cousins faded badly, with the veteran unable to avoid interceptions after leading the team to a 6-3 start. The Falcons wound up 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Falcons, even after signing Floyd, again address their pass rush with their No. 15 overall pick when the NFL draft begins April 24 at Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers.
Floyd was asked about that possibility Tuesday at the team’s practice facility, where he talked to reporters for the first time since being signed by the Falcons.
“I mean, I’ll be happy, you know?” Floyd said. “To me, pass rush is like having a basketball team. You want to have a rotation, you want to have players that can come and do their thing. And other players that can come in and do their thing. … So the more the merrier, for sure.”
Floyd, 32, had 8 1/2 sacks last season to rank second in that category for the 49ers. The Falcons are hoping for similar or even better production from the former University of Georgia standout after Atlanta ranked next to last in the league with 31 sacks in 2024.
Floyd has 66 1/2 career sacks, including 48 over the past five seasons. Floyd was a first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2016 and played three seasons for them.
Now he is celebrating his return to the Peach State, where he has maintained his offseason home, as well as his reunion with Falcons coach Raheem Morris. Floyd played for the Los Angeles Rams from 2020-22, including two seasons with Morris as the defensive coordinator.
“He’s more than a coach,” Floyd said. “He’s like a brother, a father. You know, he’s a great person, great guy to be around, and I look forward to playing for him.”
Floyd said the connection to Morris, who is preparing for his second season as Atlanta’s head coach, made his decision to sign with Atlanta “a very easy yes because I knew the type of coach he is, and I know what he expects his players to bring on game day.”
Floyd played for the Buffalo Bills in 2023 before joining the 49ers last March.
Defense has been an offseason focus for Atlanta, which also has signed linebacker Divine Deablo, defensive lineman Morgan Fox and safety Jordan Fuller.
The addition of Floyd has been the biggest headline so far, though.
“This is a great opportunity for me to come in and do what I do best,” Floyd said, adding that sacking the quarterback is “what I’m here for.”