7 potential DT targets for the Falcons in NFL free agency
· Yahoo Sports
The Atlanta Falcons have yet to re-sign several notable free agents, including starting defensive tackle David Onyemata. While the team has some impressive young talent at the defensive tackle position, losing Onyemata would create a leadership void in the locker room.
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Second-year defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus and Ruke Orhorhoro have limited experience, plus it's always important to have depth in the trenches. The Falcons don't have much salary cap space at the moment, although they will likely create some before free agency begins next week.
Let's check out seven potential defensive tackle targets for the Falcons in 2026 NFL free agency.
1). DT Dalvin Tomlinson
- Age: 32
- 2025 stats: 26 tackles (13 solo), 1 sack, QB hits
The Cardinals are releasing Dalvin Tomlinson ahead of free agency, and Atlanta would be an interesting landing spot for the veteran defensive lineman in 2026. Tomlinson is a 6-foot-4, 335-pound nose tackle with nine years of NFL experience. The Falcons don't have a true nose tackle on the roster. Tomlinson has only missed a handful of games over his nine seasons in the league and should be affordable after being released in back-to-back years.
2). DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
- Age: 30
- 2025 Stats: 41 tackles (22 solo), 2 sacks, 6 TFL
The Falcons don't have a huge need at the defensive tackle position, but Joseph-Day is a quality rotational player who's capable of starting if necessary. The veteran defensive lineman is still a decent pass-rusher and solid run defender. Joseph-Day would be an affordable option who would give the team more depth behind breakout defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus in 2026. Joseph-Day had 22 solo tackles and two sacks last season.
3). DT Sheldon Rankins
- Age: 31
- 2025 stats: 35 tackles (15 solo), 3 sacks, 9 QB hits
Rankins is a former first-round pick who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old had one of his better seasons for the Houston Texans in 2025, recording three sacks and nine QB hits on one of the top defenses in the AFC. PFF projects Rankins will sign a one-year, $7.5 million contract in free agency. If the Texans don't bring him back, the Falcons should take a hard look at the veteran defensive lineman.
4). DT Da'Shawn Hand
- Age: 30
- 2025 stats: 29 solo (18 tackles), 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hits
Hand has spent the majority of his career as a rotational defensive lineman, but he started a career-high 13 games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season. The former fourth-round pick out of Alabama would be an affordable one-year option for the Falcons in 2026. Hand could serve as a backup to Brandon Dorlus and is capable of starting if necessary. His upside is limited, but Hand is still a strong run defender at age 30.
5). DT Khyiris Tonga
- Age: 29
- 2025 stats: 24 tackles (9 solo), 2 QB hits
Tonga had a solid season for the New England Patriots in 2025, racking up a career-high 17 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. Unlike most of the others on this list, Tonga has the size to play the nose tackle position. And despite his age (29), he still seems to be improving at this stage of his career. The former seventh-round pick out of BYU has appeared in 67 games with 15 starts since 2021. Tonga started a career-high eight games last season.
6). DT Levi Onwuzurike
- Age: 28
- 2025 stats: Did not play last season
Onwuzurike did not play last season due to an ACL injury. However, the 28-year-old was productive for the Detroit Lions in 2024, starting 10 games and recording an overall grade of 70.2. A former second-round pick, Onwuzurike has a ton of upside if he can stay healthy. PFF is projecting him to sign a one-year, $1.22 million in free agency. For a team with a lack of salary cap space, Onwuzurike is one of the better options available.
7). DT Tim Settle
- Age: 28
- 2025 stats: 15 tackles (6 solo), 1 sack, 3 TFL
Settle spent his first four NFL seasons as a rotational defensive lineman for Washington. After a two-year stint in Buffalo (2023-2024), he signed with the Houston Texans in 2025. Settle, a former fifth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, started 12 games last season and recorded 15 tackles (six solo), one sack and three tackles for loss. Settle is projected to make $5.7 million per season in free agency. The 28-year-old would be an ideal replacement for David Onyemata.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Top DT targets in 2026 NFL free agency