Dorlus Anticipates Milestone Year, Collaborates with Ex-Falcons DT
Defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus is poised for a standout year with the Atlanta Falcons. After a largely unseen role last season, he has emerged as an essential player on the team’s defensive line. Dorlus has already recorded 7.5 sacks this season, ranking second on the Falcons and seventh among all interior defenders in the NFL.
Dorlus’s Rising Impact
The Falcons’ coaching staff have expressed confidence in Dorlus’s abilities since the start of the season. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich praised his pass-rushing potential. He noted Dorlus’s agility and knack for getting to the quarterback, saying, “For a big man, he’s got movement, he understands how to rush, get on edges, he can win.”
Statistics and Comparisons
- Current season sacks: 7.5
- Team rank: 2nd most in the Falcons
- NFL rank: 7th among interior defenders
- Team total sacks: 50 (2nd most in the NFL)
- Last season’s total sacks: 19 fewer than current season
Dorlus’s performance is particularly notable when compared to Grady Jarrett, a former standout defensive tackle for the Falcons. While both players have achieved 7.5 sacks in a single season, Dorlus has done so on approximately 443 snaps. Jarrett, for reference, reached his career high during the 2019 season with 805 total defensive snaps.
Mentorship and Growth
Dorlus credits much of his success to the guidance he received from Jarrett last year. He reflected on this mentorship, stating it taught him to maximize his opportunities. “You know I was with Grady last year, so I learned a lot of things from him,” he said. “The biggest thing is just take advantage of my opportunity.”
As the season nears its end, Dorlus has a real chance to surpass Jarrett’s career high in sacks. Regardless of this outcome, he has solidified his role in Atlanta’s rejuvenated pass-rushing defense, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance.
