FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Even with all the rookie talent on the defensive side of the ball, it could be argued inside linebacker Divine Deablo was the most impactful newcomer for the Atlanta Falcons last season.
Deablo joined as a free agent in the offseason. He showed potential during training camp. But man, did he make a splash as soon as the Falcons' schedule began.
In his Falcons debut, Deablo assisted in a sack and broke up a pass. He used his size to his benefit repeatedly, breaking up a pass in four of his first six games. Unfortunately, in that sixth game, Deablo fractured his forearm and was placed on injured reserve in Week 8 as a result.
The Falcons took a by-committee approach to fill the void Deablo's absence created in the center of the defense. JD Bertrand and Ronnie Harrison were primarily tasked with doing so, starting opposite Kaden Elliss, while others played a reserve role.
Deablo ultimately missed four games, all of which the Falcons lost. He returned in Week 12, and the Falcons won. Atlanta ultimately won five of its final seven games with Deablo.
Learn more below about how the Falcons' inside linebackers performed in 2025 and the position group's outlook for 2026.
Roster Recap:
- Offense: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Offensive Line
- Defense: Defensive Tackle | Edge Defender
2025 production:
| Player | Games Played | Starts | Total tackles | Sacks | Tackles for loss | Pass breakups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaden Elliss | 17 | 17 | 107 | 3.5 | 10 | 6 (1 INT) |
| Divine Deablo | 13 | 13 | 73 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Ronnie Harrison | 10 | 4 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| JD Bertrand | 15 | 2 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Josh Woods | 12 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Standout stat: Elliss was one of 13 linebackers record at least 100 tackles, one interception and once forced fumble in 2025.
Players under contract for 2026:
- Divine Deablo
- JD Bertrand
- Malik Verdon
2026 Free agents:
- Kaden Elliss
- Troy Andersen
- Ronnie Harrison
- Josh Woods
Biggest question facing the position group in 2026:
Will the Falcons make a push to keep Elliss?
Deablo was certainly a highlight for the inside linebackers last season. However, so was his fellow starter, Elliss. While Deablo was the new face, Elliss was the reliable returner in Atlanta after his breakout season in 2024.
Since Elliss joined the Falcons as a free agent in 2023, he has started every single game. With each season, he was tasked with more responsibility on and off the field. He was a first-time captain last year, with coaches and teammates alike often praising his leadership. They also consistently highlighted his versatility, as evidenced by his 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, six pass breakups and one interception in 2025. He is loved in Atlanta as a person and player.
Elliss' three-year deal with the Falcons is set to expire, which means he'll hit the free-agency market come March 11 when the new league year begins. The Falcons had something special in the Deablo-Elliss combo. It shouldn't be a matter of if they'd like to run it back, but whether they can swing it financially.
