Atlanta Falcons re-sign OLB DeAngelo Malone

Malone has become a standout special teams player and produced several splash plays on defense when called upon.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:07am

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The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone, who was drafted by the team in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his four NFL seasons, Malone has become a standout special teams player and produced several splash plays on defense when called upon. Despite possessing a Swiss-Army-Knife skillset, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich sought a more refined approach to developing Malone last season, focusing on him becoming a stacked linebacker first.

Why it matters

Malone has shown versatility and playmaking ability on both special teams and defense for the Falcons, and the team is looking to continue developing him as a key part of their defensive unit.

The details

Malone played in each of the Falcons' first nine games of the 2025 season before an ankle injury against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10 landed him on injured reserve and ended his season. Before his injury, Malone ranked fourth on the team with six special teams tackles. His most notable play of the season came in Week 6 when he intercepted Josh Allen with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, cementing Atlanta's 24-14 victory. In 2024, Malone recorded two sacks and three quarterback hits on just 14 defensive snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders, putting his explosiveness as a pass rusher on display.

  • Malone was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • In the 2025 season, Malone played in the Falcons' first nine games before an ankle injury in Week 10 ended his season.
  • In Week 6 of the 2025 season, Malone intercepted Josh Allen with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
  • In Week 15 of the 2024 season, Malone recorded two sacks and three quarterback hits on just 14 defensive snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The players

DeAngelo Malone

An outside linebacker who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has become a standout special teams player and produced several splash plays on defense when called upon.

Jeff Ulbrich

The defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons who sought a more refined approach to developing Malone last season, focusing on him becoming a stacked linebacker first.

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What they’re saying

“For DeAngelo Malone, he's been a guy that's been used as an edge rusher, as an internal blitzer, as an off-the-ball stack linebacker. When you're asked to do a lot of those things, it's really hard to master something. So I made a concerted effort this offseason to say, 'You're going to become a stacked linebacker first, and then we'll start to toy around with the other stuff.' He's done an amazing job of that. He's gotten so much better.”

— Jeff Ulbrich, Defensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons

What’s next

The Falcons will look to continue developing Malone as a key part of their defensive unit, with a focus on him becoming a more refined and versatile linebacker.

The takeaway

Malone's re-signing highlights the Falcons' commitment to developing their young talent and building a well-rounded defense. His ability to make plays on special teams and in limited defensive snaps suggests he has significant upside if he can continue to refine his skills as a linebacker.