Versatility a Key Component of Jeff Ulbrich’s Defense

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.-- Following a disappointing season in which the team finished 31st in the NFL in sacks, and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake was fired after just one season, the Atlanta Falcons brought back Jeff Ulbrich to be the defensive coordinator for the 2025 season. Ulbrich returns back to Atlanta, where he coached for six years from 2015-2020.

A new energy is apparent in Atlanta, especially on the defensive side of the ball with Ulbrich bringing in a defensive identity built on aggressiveness. Part of this new defense is rooted in versatility, a trait that Atlanta’s 2025 rookie class brings to the table.

“I think his [Ulrbich’s] defense is very complex,” rookie nickel cornerback Billy Bowman said. “Allows us to do a lot of things, whether that’s just you know, being underneath defender and shoot gaps, blitz off the edge, blitz in the b gap at times, you know, play man. So it’s very versatile and you know, I love that being able to do everything.”

Bowman played safety in college at Oklahoma. However, since being drafted to Atlanta, he has primarily been practicing at the nickel back position. Despite the slight position change, the rookie has a ton of responsibility in Ulbrich’s system, and he is not shying away from it at all. Bowman went on to explain that all the defensive backs in this defensive system should be able to do “everything”.

“But as far as DBs goes, a lot of them are interchangeable, and I mean I’m sure we would ask all of our DBs to be able to play everything,” Bowman said.