FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Nate Ollie enters 2025 in a similar situation with Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus as he did in 2022 with then-Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
Ollie is the Falcons' new defensive line coach, while Dorlus is embarking on his second season in Atlanta. The Falcons selected Dorlus with the 109th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft from Oregon. Dorlus appeared in just two games as a rookie last season, taking 19 defensive snaps and making three tackles in the process.
The 2022 season was Ollie's first with the Colts, where he was also the defensive line coach. Much like Dorlus, Odeyingbo, at the time, was going into his second season in Indianapolis when Ollie joined the staff. Odeyingbo was the Colts' 54th pick overall in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, hailing from Vanderbilt. As a rookie, he played in 10 games and took 173 defensive snaps once recovered from a torn Achilles sustained in January. He registered half a sack, a quarterback hit and six tackles.
"I got to see Dayo for two years grow," Ollie said.
Same as the Falcons are now, the Colts implemented an attack-style front upon Ollie's arrival. Odeyingbo benefited.
In 2022, Odeyingbo jumped to five sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 31 tackles. In 2023, those numbers went up to eight, 17 and 38, respectively. Odeyingbo also had two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries that second season with Ollie as his coach.
Under his guidance, Ollie envisions that type of growth for Dorlus.
"Just watching him, seeing him grow in that type of role, it'll be fun," Ollie said. "He actually asked for some Dayo Odeyingbo tape."
Odeyingbo, who was 6-foot-5 and 276 pounds at his combine and has since added about 10 pounds, is a touch bigger than Dorlus, whose pre-draft measurements were 6-foot-3 and 283 pounds and hover around there with a slight uptick in weight. Odeyingbo didn't run the 40-yard dash due to his injury, but Dorlus posted a 4.85-second time that placed him in the 93rd percentile among his position group, according to MockDraftable. So, Dorlus can be a large, explosive threat off the line of scrimmage, which Odeyingbo has proven is a deadly combination on film.
Those physical traits paired with Odeyingbo's ability to play on the interior and exterior are why Ollie thinks of Dorlus in the same vein in 2025. They're a trifecta for a solid pass rusher.
"Brandon is like our special, what you call, a utility weapon," Ollie said. "Brandon's gonna have to do some stuff inside and we're gonna actually put Brandon out on the edge this year."
Moving along the line is not new to Dorlus.
"It's very similar to what I played in college," he said. "Played a little on the edge on first and second down. Third down, moved inside. ... I like the defensive line. It's very fun to play in. It's not just sitting back in one position. I love to switch it up."
The Year 1 to 2 jump in the NFL is constantly talked about, and the conversation surrounding Dorlus in that regard preaches high hopes for the 24-year-old in 2025. If Ollie is able to direct Dorlus in the same direction as Odeyingbo, that only bodes well for the young player. Odeyingbo moved on to his second contract this offseason, signing a three-year, $48 million deal with the Chicago Bears.
Perhaps Dorlus can do — and perform — even better by the time his rookie contract expires in 2028.
"Really just excited about working with Dorlus," Ollie said, "like what he can do and just really unlocking everything about him."
