Atlanta still has some apparent holes to fill after the NFL Draft. Even after drafting four defensive players, there are still holes to fill on defense. However, this latest move just secured them for 2025 in one position group: linebacker. The Falcons kicked off the offseason by filling up the linebacker depth by signing Divine Deablo. Since then, they have signed Leonard Floyd and drafted Jalon Walker to help the pass rush.
Atlanta just announced that they have gone out and signed Caleb Johnson, the former Jacksonville Jaguar. Though it meant cutting Phillip Dorsett, the team added some depth that could be beneficial to both defense and special teams.
Atlanta Caps Off Linebacker Rebuild With Latest Move
Caleb Johnson’s Career
Caleb Johnson was not your classic Division-I college player who went pro. Johnson went to Houston Baptist University, where he was the Southern Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. In his four-year collegiate career, he had 278 total tackles. On top of that, he racked up 10 sacks and 27 tackles for loss.
Johnson went undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft and signed as an UDFA with the Chicago Bears. He made the 53-man roster and appeared in 14 games in his rookie season. He was then claimed off waivers by the Jaguars in 2022 and has played for them up until now. More notably, in 2022, he had 12 total tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.
2025 Linebacker Depth
It’ll be a challenge for Johnson to get meaningful snaps at linebacker. Ahead of Johnson on the depth chart is Kaden Elliss, Troy Anderson, Divine Deablo, and JD Bertrand. However, if injuries plague the team this upcoming season, then we can see him on the field on defense for sub-packages.
Even if he does not get a lot of snaps at linebacker, he’ll be a frontrunner to gain snaps on special teams. Johnson played the majority of his snaps on special teams with Jacksonville last season. Special teams can be where Johnson ignites himself to more reps on defense. Terrell Davis got his start by shining bright on special teams. It is more than possible for Johnson to find his way up the depth chart with good play on kickoff coverage.
What This Means Going Forward
This signing was the beginning of a few finishing touches the Atlanta Falcons will need before going into 2025. Linebacker was one position group that had some uncertainties this offseason, and Atlanta just filled it out completely. They will still have some other groups to look into, like defensive tackle and center, but overall, fans should be excited for the moves that have been made. Making signings like Caleb Johnson is getting Atlanta affordable players that can make a solid impact. Filling out the depth chart to ensure that injury plagues cannot ruin the season, and can make for great rotational packages.
This move is not the flashiest. It is not one that normally makes national headlines. However, it means more to Atlanta than people realize. The team just secured their full linebacker rotation for 2025. This is a great way to cap off a linebacker rebuild this offseason to go into the new season.
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