Falcons Eye $4.25M Kyle Van Noy After Jalon Walker Injury

Q: With Jalon Walker's season over, which veteran edge rusher will the Falcons sign to save their highly touted defense from collapsing?

Leonard Floyd is the most likely signing. Atlanta needs someone who can help immediately after Jalon Walker’s torn ACL, and Floyd is the cleanest fit. He played for the Falcons last season, already knows Jeff Ulbrich’s system, and produced 36 pressures in 2025, the second-most on the team. That familiarity matters with training camp underway and the Falcons also preparing for a possible suspension for James Pearce Jr., which makes the edge room even thinner. The case for Floyd is stronger than for the other available veterans because the alternatives all come with bigger obstacles. Joey Bosa still has name value, but his injury history and expected preference for a stronger contender make him a long shot. Von Miller remains productive in passing situations, but he is also widely seen as more likely to choose a contender. Kyle Van Noy is a credible fallback because he can still contribute against the run and as a rotational rusher, though his age and recent dip in sack production make him more of a stabilizer than a solution. Haason Reddick has a coaching connection to Ulbrich, but his uneven 2025 season makes him a riskier bet. Derek Barnett may appeal as a cheaper depth move rather than the headline addition. Floyd would not replace Walker’s versatility, but he is the most realistic option to keep Atlanta’s pass rush from slipping sharply. If his price comes down, he remains the favorite to be the Falcons’ answer.

3 articles · Updated · The Falcoholic · Aug 5

Atlanta is expected to move quickly in free agency after Jalon Walker’s injury left a major hole in its defense and disrupted training camp plans.
Leonard Floyd stands out as the most natural short-term fit after posting 36 pressures for the Falcons last season, though he would likely need to lower his 2025 asking price.
Kyle Van Noy and Derek Barnett offer cheaper veteran depth—Van Noy played on a $4.25 million deal in 2025, while Barnett’s last contract was worth $4.0 million total.
Joey Bosa, Von Miller and Haason Reddick bring bigger names but more obstacles, including injury history, age, contender preference or uneven recent form.
None of the available edge rushers matches Walker’s versatility, leaving Atlanta to prioritize a stopgap pass-rush boost over a true one-for-one replacement.