Atlanta Falcons select Brandon Dorlus in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons selected the former Oregon ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Dorlus ultimately played five seasons for the Ducks, but was a key part of Oregon’s defense the past three seasons. He racked up 58 total tackles in that span, but exploded onto the scene as a fifth-year starter in 2023. Dorlus collected five sacks and seven pass breakups – both numbers were career highs for the Florida native.

He evolved from a run-stopper to an all-around EDGE rusher at the perfect time ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Overall, Dorlus collected five sacks for the Ducks last season and 12 total sacks over the past five years. Coming out of Deerfield Beach High School (Deerfield Beach, Florida), he was ranked as the No. 896 prospect in America, according to the On3 industry rankings for the 2019 cycle.

With Dorlus’ help, the Ducks ranked No. 1 in the Pac-12 in total defense in 2023. In 14 games this past season, Oregon allowed a conference-low 16.5 points per game. Oregon’s defense gave up an average of 10.6 yards per game on the ground, but allowed just 0.7 touchdowns per outing.

What NFL analysts say about Brandon Dorlus

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared Dorlus’ skills to that of New York Giants linebacker Carlos Basham.

“(He’s a) physical, heavy-handed defenseman whose pedestrian production could increase at the professional level. Dorlus is a fairly natural edge defender who can play standing up or with a hand down. He doesn’t play with desirable instincts or awareness while running, but has the upper body strength to become a more powerful edge-setter or inside penetrator in the future. He shows an impressive ability to weave his way past blockers for quick wins, even if the sack total doesn’t show that.

“Dorlus fits naturally as a power end in a 4-3 or 3-4, but teams may want him to add more weight and take on a role as a full-time 3-technique.”

Zierlein lists Dorlus’ strengths: he can play different formations, shock blockers with heavy punches, make effective heavy sweeps, and use hand and foot work in harmony to get around blockers.

As for weaknesses, Dorlus has proven to struggle to build an impressive rushing resume in college, plays with below-average balance and body control through contact, has inconsistent anchoring techniques, and can play a little too upright at times .