Atlanta listed Brandon Dorlus as a starter over former second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro on depth chart.
The Atlanta Falcons released their first depth chart of the 2025 NFL season on Tuesday afternoon, and there were a few surprises on the defensive side of the football. While the team listed rookies Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. as starters, first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. were among those on the second-string defense.
However, the biggest surprise actually came on the interior of Atlanta’s defensive line where former fourth-round pick Brandon Dorlus was listed ahead of former second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro. The two interior linemen were selected two rounds apart in the 2024 NFL draft.
This doesn’t seem like a big deal on the surface, but the Falcons traded up to get Orhorhoro with the 35th overall pick. The former Clemson standout didn’t play much as a rookie, and despite being listed on the first-team defense on all three preseason depth charts, Orhorhoro has been leapfrogged by Dorlus going into Week 1.
In 2024, Orhorhoro appeared in eight games and played 148 defensive snaps, recording 11 tackles (four solo). Dorlus’ played even less, appearing in just two games (19 defensive snaps) and recording three tackles (one solo).
The 2025 preseason was a different story, though. Dorlus outperformed Orhorhoro with five solo tackles and one sack in two games. Orhorhoro didn’t receive as much playing time, so perhaps the coaching staff liked what Dorlus put on film.
Check out the Falcons’ full depth chart for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers below.
QuarterbackMichael Penix Jr. (9)Kirk Cousins (18)Running backBijan Robinson (7)Tyler Allgeier (25)Nathan Carter (38)Wide Receiver 1Drake London (5)KhaDarel Hodge (4)David Sills (87)Wide Receiver 2Darnell Mooney (1)Casey Washington (82)Wide Receiver 3Ray-Ray McCloud (34)Jamal Agnew (14)Tight End 1Kyle Pitts (8)Feleipe Franks (15)Tight End 2Charlie Woerner (89)Teagan Quitoriano (85)Left TackleJake Matthews (70)Michael Jerrell (72)Left GuardMatthew Bergeron (65)CenterRyan Neuzil (64)Jovaughn Gwyn (52)Right GuardChris Lindstrom (63)Kyle Hinton (68)Right TackleElijah Wilkinson (71)Jack Nelson (69)Defensive LineBrandon Dorlus (54)Ruke Orhorhoro (98)Defensive LineDavid Onyemata (90)Zach Harrison (96)LaCale London (94)EDGEArnold Ebiketie (17)Jalon Walker (11)EDGELeonard Floyd (56)James Pearce Jr. (27)Inside LinebackerKaden Elliss (55)JD Bertrand (40)Inside LinebackerDivine Deablo (0)Josh Woods (42)DeAngelo Malone (51)CB1A.J. Terrell (24)Dee Alford (20)CB2Mike Hughes (21)Clark Phillips III (22)NBBilly Bowman Jr. (33)Natrone Brooks (35)Mike Ford (28)SafetyJessie Bates III (3)DeMarcco Hellams (23)SafetyXavier Watts (31)Jordan Fuller (29)SpecialistsKicker: Younghoe Koo (6)Punter: Bradley Pinion (13)Long snapper: Liam McCullough (49)Kick returner: Jamal Agnew (14)Punt returner: Jamal Agnew (14)
The Falcons will open the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET. The Falcons are hoping wide receiver Darnell Mooney will be ready for the game despite missing most of training camp due to a shoulder injury.
Head coach Raheem Morris said we can expect to see all four defensive rookies — Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. — play in Week 1. Watts and Bowman will start their first NFL game at safety and cornerback, respectively.
Make sure to check out the Falcons’ updated 53-man roster (including uniform numbers) and 16-man practice squad ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Buccaneers.