Atlanta Falcons EDGE Arnold Ebiketie enjoyed a mini breakout campaign as a sophomore in 2023, but there’s still another level for the former Penn State standout to unlock. Ebiketie has yet to reach his full potential. The Falcons are going to demand more of him in what’s setting up to be a make-or-break season in 2024.
The No. 38 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft made more of a whimper than a bang as a rookie, totaling just 2.5 sacks via a rotational backup role. Ebiketie showcased sophomore improvement by totaling 6.0 quarterback takedowns, but it was still an up-and-down season.
Ebiketie was forced to earn the trust of the coaching staff as the season progressed forward. After playing 31 ineffective snaps against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2, Ebiketie's involvement was downgraded to a season-low 11 snaps in Week 3. Everything changed against the Washington Commanders in Week 6 when Ebiketie recorded 1.5 sacks via 14 snaps. His play time gradually increased from there.
The up-and-down nature led to Ebiketie playing 383 defensive snaps in 2023, accounting for just 33.71% of all Falcons plays. Ebiketie played significantly more as a rookie in 2022, earning 516 snaps for a 45.99% snap-share workload. As a third-year player in 2024, Ebiketie must prove capable of playing more than 50% of snaps. Remaining consistently productive is key to achieving that goal.
A particularly fruitful midseason stretch from Week 8 to 13 captured Ebiketie's potential. The Yaoundé, Cameroon native recorded four of his six sacks across those five appearances. He accumulated a season-high five pressures against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Ebiketie also went 11 contests without even half a sack. It's those lulls that Ebiketie must eliminate to become a legitimately game-changing pass rusher.
Ebiketie ranked third on the Falcons in sacks. Veterans Calais Campbell (6.5) and Bud Dupree (6.5) out-produced him in that department. Neither player is currently on Atlanta's roster, with Dupree already signing elsewhere in free agency. It adds a layer of pressure to Ebiketie's impending third-year performance.
The Falcons have spent a lot of capital in recent years, both via free agency and the draft, on finding starting-caliber pass rushers. Former fellow top 100 picks Zach Harrison and DeAngelo Malone were joined by three more via the 2024 draft: Brandon Dorlus, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Bralen Trice. Rotational rusher James Smith-Williams was added in free agency. Of all these players, it's Ebiketie that is facing the most pressure to perform in 2024. He also has the highest ceiling.
Ebiketie is attempting to prove himself to a new coaching staff. The presence of defensive-minded head coach Raheem Morris should be good for Ebiketie's development. In 2023, Morris helped young players such as Byron Young and Kobie Turner make sizable impacts for the Los Angeles Rams as Sean McVay's defensive coordinator. One of Morris' biggest priorities will be to get Ebiketie consistently producing.
Ebiketie is capable of recording 10-plus sacks in 2024. The abilities are present. Ebiketie now finds himself in more of a starring role under the direction of a new coaching staff. A legitimately sink-or-swim campaign is pending for Ebiketie.
